The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu has given a clear reopening date for places of worship in the state.
The affirmative August 7th Reopening date brings to rest agitations by workers in the sector who have gone for months without earnings since the outbreak of the global pandemic.
The state government had closed down places of worship since March as part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 on its part approved the reopening of churches and mosques in the country. Lagos State however delayed reopening of worship centers giving the increasing number of daily cases as reasons.
Governor Sanwoolu says while mosques reopen from Friday August 7, churches will follow suit on Sunday, August 9.
“Places of worship in Lagos will open from Friday, 7th of August for our Muslim worshippers, and on Sunday, 9th of August for our Christian worshippers.”
“We go allow only 50 per cent of dia maximum capacity, either for church or mosque. Churches wey dey worship on Saturdays go also dey allowed to hold worship.
“Place of worship must have regular once a week service on days they choose.
“We shall monitor this for the next couple of weeks and see how they observe the guidelines. We encourage them to have multiple services on those days but it must be restricted to only those days of worship.
“Regular gatherings are permitted to hold but vigils and other services are still on hold for now.
“We recommend and seriously beg our senior citizens – if you are 65 years and above, we strongly advise against attending these places of worship. Please stay at home.”
According to him, religious leaders must make available hand sanitisers, handheld thermometer checks.
“The state government shall ensure social distancing is maintained.
” Secondary schools in the state can reopen from August 3rd for those writing their examination”.
People can now sit and eat in restarant from August 14 but must follow all Covid- 19 health protocols.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control NCDC, as of Friday night, Lagos recorded over 15,000 Covid-19 infections and about 200 deaths, making the state the highest with reported cases of coronavirus in the country.
(C) Control TV 2020.
