Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the re-opening of places of worship in Lagos, starting from August 7.
The Governor also increases public gatherings capacity from 20 to 50 people.
In his 17th update on Coronavirus at the State House, Marina, the governor said the state isolation centers, at Eti-Osa and Agidingbi would be shut down while all the patients
there would be moved to soon to be commissioned Indo Center.
He added the Yaba Infectious Diseases Hospital is now ‘gradually being reverted back
to its status as a hospital to cater to all forms of
infectious diseases.
” We are increasing the permissible
capacity for public gatherings from 20 to 50
persons. This applies to a wide range of events,
from AGMs to funerals. Lagosians should
please continue to keep in mind that there is
documented evidence that mass gatherings can
increase the spread of infectious diseases, such as coronavirus. As such, all standard prevention
and control measures must be strictly adhered
to: physical distancing, mandatory temperature
checks and use of masks in public places,
regular disinfection of premises, and strong
personal hygiene,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He added: “Places of worship in Lagos State will be
allowed to open from Friday the 7th of August
for our Muslim worshippers, and Sunday the 9th
of August for Christian worshippers, but only at
50% of their capacity. 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.
“
” Places of worship are allowed to schedule
multiple services, on their designated worship
days, if necessary, as well as also encouraging
as many people as possible to participate using
virtual means,” he further said.
He urged religious organisations to adhere strictly with safety guidelines.
” All religious centres and
Places of worship that are planning to reopen must be only regular services and gatherings are
permitted to hold. Night Vigils and other
non-regular programmes remain prohibited
until further notice, attendees over the age of 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, 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, while it is mandatory to provide hand-washing
facial ties and sanitizers at the entry and exit
point of the premises.”
He also said “restaurants will now be permitted to open
for in-dining services, from the 14th of August, on
the proviso that they maintain a 50% occupancy
capacity, and have also obtained a Provisional
Safety Compliance Certificate through the
registration portal of the Lagos State Safety
Commission: www.lasgsafetyreg.com.”
