The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced the reopening of worship centres in the state from  August 7 at 50% capacity. This disclosure was made by Sanwo-Olu during a press briefing on COVID-19, at the State House, Marina Lagos.

The Governor pronounced that, while the mosques are expected to reopen on the 7th August next week Friday, churches will also follow suit on Sunday, 9th August. I am happy to announce the progress we are making in our fight against #COVID19 and the current decline in cases. He further state that religious leaders must make available hand sanitizers, thermometer guns and ensure that social distancing is maintained.

“Meanwhile, Places of worship in Lagos will now be open from Friday 7th August  for our Muslim worshippers and on Sunday, 9th August for our Christian worshippers“ only 50% of their capacity will be allowed at either the church or the mosque. Churches that have Saturday worship day will also be allowed to start holding their Saturday worship. We must reiterate that places of worship are only permitted to have their regular once a week service on designated days. For the avoidance of doubt, there will be Friday worships for our Muslims followers and Sunday worships for our Christian followers’’,

The Governor disclosed further that the state is going to monitor this for the next couple of weeks and see how compliance gets as things move along. The worship centres are encouraged to have multiple services on those days but they should be restricted to those designated days of worship, that is Fridays and Sundays. and the regular  gatherings will be permitted to hold in the worship centres, vigils and other services should still be on hold for now.

Sequel to the governor’s take on this development, The state also recommended that senior citizens aged 65 years and above are strongly advised not to attend these places of worship.

(By: Musty Mustapha)

Source of picture: akanbiafeso.wordpress.com