COVID-19: Churches, Mosques remain shut in Lagos

…As FG issues fresh guidelines on operations of worship centers

There are indications that Churches and Mosques in Lagos may not be reopened soon for worshipers due to disagreement on protocols and guidelines between the state government and religious leaders.

The Federal government had on Monday lifted the ban on religious gatherings in the country based on guidelines and protocols agreed with state governments.

It subsequently handed over management of the control measures to states and the local councils.

At a press briefing marking the first year in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, ruled out the possibility of immediate reopening Churches and Mosques in the State.

Elegushi said: “Even before the pronouncement by the Federal government, we have been having meeting with the religious leaders; we even have one with safety commission looking at the possibility of reopening of religious houses.

“We also had one with the leaders of the two faiths and I want to tell you categorically that at that meeting, possibility of reopening religious houses now is ruled out totally.”

He added: “They claimed that they cannot take such responsibility of ensuring that only 20 or 50 people are praying behind them. Like an Imam said he doesn’t know what is going on at back immediately he is leading a prayer. He said if more than 20 or 50 people are staying at his back he is not going to take responsibility for their presence.

“So in the meeting we ruled out in totality the issue of reopening the religious houses until we have a clear coast for us to do so. The Federal Government mentioned it, but it never ruled out the state in achieving that pronouncement, so all states will have to look at possibility of doing so in their respective states.

“We all know Lagos is still having more figures. So definitely that will speak to our decision. But the governor of the state will come out with further directives. We will call the two faith together and discuss the pronouncement and I can assure you that they themselves will tell us not to do it.”

Meanwhile, the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 has reeled out more guidelines that should be observed for the reopening of worship places across the country.

According to the guideline, Churches and Mosques are expected to keep a record of staff and worshippers for contact tracing purposes while persons identified with high temperature after temperature check should be turned back.

Speaking at the daily Press conference yesterday in Abuja, National Coordinator of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Dr Sani observed that at this stage, it is still better for people to do their worship at home than go to worship centers because the country is in the exponential phase of the infection.

He said that Churches and mosques with high number of worshippers can divide their services into two or three depending on the number to ensure physical distancing, and should have break of at least 30mins between the services to allow worshippers wash their hands or to disinfect the centers.

Aliyu noted that worshippers are advised not to touch each other in a manner such as hugging, shaking, or kissing among others.

He said, “Mosques are to open 20mins before Prayers and close 20mins after prayers. No Islamiya schools. Prayer sections should be staggered. Worship centers should have different entry and exit points. No social gatherings before or after services. Business outlets at worship centers should remain closed”

According to him, “facilities should be structured in a way that physical distancing is observed even as people from the same household should be encouraged to stay together.

” Church/mosque volunteers(ushers, choir, security etc.) that have underlying illnesses should not be allowed to serve while the time for worship services should not be more than one hour. The elderly above 55 are advised to observe their worship services at home. Churches/Mosques should improve their environmental hygiene. Windows should be left open during services, as it’s more dangerous to hold services in enclosed places. Open-air services are preferable. There should be frequent cleaning of Centers. Surfaces should be cleaned with diluted bleach. Worshippers with COVID19 symptoms should not go to places of worship.”

The Coordinator reiterated that places of worship must comply with all non-pharmaceutical measures such as mandatory use of face mask by worshippers, hand washing spots at the entrances, hand sanitizers with at least Sixty percent alcohol content and mandatory temperature checks.