LAGOS — In preparation for the re-opening of worship places, the Lagos State government has released guidelines to prevent places of worship in the state from becoming COVID-19 transmission hot spot.
Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the advisory during a press briefing on COVID-19 situation in the state, adding that while mosques could re-open from June 19, churches are to begin services from June 21.
The West African Pilot News reports that the state government advised that children below age 15 and adults above 65-years should not be allowed into worship centres.
“There will now be restricted openings of religious houses based on compliance that we have seen and reviewed with the Safety Commission.
“From 14 days time, precisely on the 19th of June for our Muslim worshippers and from the 21st of June for our Christian worshippers, we will be allowing all of our religious bodies to open at a maximum of 40% of their capacity and we’ll be working with them as being expected by the Lagos State Safety Commission.
“But we know that these places of worship have different sizes but even if your 40% capacity is really so large, you cannot have beyond 500 worshippers at once, and keeping that maximum 40% capacity is really important.
“We will be encouraging people to have more than one service and ensure that they keep their premises clean, disinfect before another round of worship can take place.
“We will be advising that there should only be mandatory Fridays and Sunday services. All other night vigils and services must be put on hold for now until we review our current situation.
“We will also be advising very strongly that persons below the age of 15 because of how well they walk around and difficult to hold down should be excused from the places of worship and citizens that are above the age of 65 should not be allowed into these places of worship.
“We will also advise that there should be no food sharing and communion from a common dish should be discouraged during this period.
“Sharing of kettles during ablution should be avoided, prohibited if possible.
“we also encourage the use of stationary collection boxes and electronic payments,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said.
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