– Federal Government Release Guideline For Reopening Of Church
Federal Government of Nigeria has released the guideline for the reopening of Churches in nation months after the initial closure of the religious organization due to fear of Corona virus.
The ban was initially put in place to checkmate the spread of Corona virus in Nigeria following the increase in numbers of confirmed case. The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday said the President,Muhammadu Buhari, had approved the relaxation of restriction placed on churches and mosques starting from Tuesday (today).
The Chairman of the task force and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, who disclosed this at the PTF press briefing in Abuja, said the reopening of churches and mosques would be based on guidelines issued by the task force and protocols agreed on by states.
While addressing the press, Mr Mustapha said “The PTF submitted its recommendations and the president has approved the following for implementation over the next four weeks spanning 2nd – 29th June, 2020, subject to review.
“Cautious advance into the second phase of the national response to COVID-19; application of science and data to guide the targeting of areas of on-going high transmission of COVID-19 in the country;
“Mobilisation of all resources at state and local government levels to create public awareness on COVID 19 and improve compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions within communities; sustenance of key non-pharmaceutical interventions that would apply nationwide and include: ban of gatherings of more than 20 people outside of a workplace;
“Relaxation of restriction on places of worship eg church is based on guidelines issued by the PTF and protocols agreed by state governments,” Mustapha said.
Mr Mustaha then revealed that banks would also be allowed to operate within the normal working hours. He also urged Nigerians to abide by the safety protocols of health authorities, adding that Nigeria is still far from the end of the pandemic.
