Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
The Kwara State Government has asked mosques and churches to open their doors to worship God.
The opening, however, comes with certain conditions.
Deputy governor of the state, Mr. Kayode Alabi, who also doubles as Chairman, State COVID-19 Technical Task Force, made the announcement, in Ilorin, the state capital.
According to him, Muslims could worship in their mosques on “Friday, June 5 on the condition that they satisfy certain criteria already agreed with various religious umbrella bodies in the state”.
Also, Alabi said churches would open their doors for worship, on Sunday, June 7, where they too must satisfy the government spelt out criteria.
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Alabi’s words, “The government, however, warned that the concession for churches and mosques to reopen does not mean that the state has flattened the curve of transmission of COVID-19 pandemic.
“The decision came hours after the Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19 held a marathon meeting with the leadership of the Muslim and Christian communities, including the Jama’atu Nasrul Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“We are definitely not out of the woods as cases continue to rise especially because of violation of travel restrictions,” he added.
Meanwhile, the criteria he unfolded included, “worship centres shall be organised (by the respective head of the congregation) in such a way that one attendant is at least one metre away from the next.
“Each worship centre shall make provisions for hand washing or hand sanitisers, and infrared thermometer, wearing of face masks shall be mandatory for all worshipers.
“There shall be no hand shaking or hugging among worshipers, children remain restricted from worship centres.
“People above 65 or persons with underlying health conditions are urged to stay away from worship centres.
“Muslims should perform ablutions from their own houses. Ablution spots are not allowed for now to avoid the spread of the virus.
“Muslim women are to stay away from mosques, as suggested by the leadership of the Muslim community in the state.
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”Each worship centre is to dedicate a few minutes before service or prayers to educate attendants about COVID-19 and its dangers and adequate ventilation is to be ensured at each worship centre
Deputy Governor Alabi added that the state government’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) shall conduct random visits to worship centres to take samples and do temperature checks.
Also, government shall hold affected religious leaders responsible for non compliance with all COVID-19-related safety measures in their worship centres saying; “this is as agreed by the religious umbrella bodies”.