UPDATED: Lagos State reopens churches, mosques

0
1174

The Lagos State government has reopened worship centres with effect from August 7.

Speaking during the Seventeenth Update on Coronavirus, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the  Incident Commander, said places of worship will only open at 50 per cent of their capacity.

- Advertisement -

He also  announced an increase in the number of public gatherings capacity from 20 to 50 people.

- Advertisement -

Mosques will reopen on August 7 while churches will begin worship on August 9.

- Advertisement -

He said, “Churches whose main worship days fall on Saturdays are permitted to hold their services on Saturdays, subject to the same guidelines as churches holding services on Sundays.

“We must reiterate that Places of Worship are only permitted to have their regular once-a-week services on the designated days. For the avoidance of doubt, churches are mosques are not permitted to have other services or fellowships outside of their main weekly services.

-Advertisement-


READ ALSO: Ekiti State Governor, Fayemi, Recovers From COVID-19

“Places of Worship are allowed to schedule multiple services, on their designated worship  days, if necessary, as well as also encouraging as many peole as possible to participate using virtual means.”

In addition,   he said the following conditions must be met and fulfilled by all Religious Centres and Places of Worship that are planning to reopen:

“Only regular services / gatherings are permitted to hold. Night Vigils and other non-regular programmes remain prohibited until further notice. Attendees over the age of sixty-five (65) years are strongly discouraged from attending worship services. Consider holding services and gatherings in large, well-ventilated areas or outdoors, as circumstances and faith traditions allow.

“ ‘No Facemask, No Entry’ policy must be maintained throughout the duration of the services. There must be Regular cleaning and disinfection of facilities must be carried out to maintain clean and hygienic environments before and after every service.

“Appropriate screening equipment for COVID-19 symptoms such as a contactless temperature check must be available for entrants into the facility. It is mandatory to provide hand-washing facilities and sanitizers at the entry and exit point of the premises.

READ ALSO: See How to Apply for Federal Government’s 2020/2021 Scholarships

“National emergency response phone lines must be displayed prominently on the  premises. Handshakes, Hugs and “high fives” are not permitted at services or gatherings, and this should be emphasized by displaying appropriate signs prominently.

“The use of stationary collection boxes and electronic methods for collection of offering  must be encouraged. The flow of human traffic in and out of these places of worship must be conducted in an organised and orderly manner.”

 

 

 

 

 

We do everything possible to supply quality news and information to all our valuable readers day in, day out and we are committed to keep doing this. Your kind donation will help our continuous research efforts.

-Advertisement-

-Want to get the news as it breaks?-

- Advertisement -