40% Capacity as Lagos Open Churches, Mosques from June 19

7 Jun 2020

Hi Folks,

Glad that things are gradually returning to normal across the world, save for the skirmishes raging as a result of the extrajudicial killing of George Floyd in the United States of America.

Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu concurs with TB Joshua on reopening of ...

Religious bodies to open at a maximum of 40% of their capacity and we’ll be working with them as being expected by the Lagos State Safety Commission.

Mixed reaction trailed the announcement by Lagos State government that religious gatherings would be allowed to reopen on June 21, 2020.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said mosques are to reopen from June 19 while churches are to begin services from June 21 and only Friday and Sunday services should be held for now, as other regular services, including night vigils, must be put on hold.

 

He said, “There will now be restricted openings of religious houses based on compliance that we have seen and reviewed with the Safety Commission.

“From 14 days time, precisely on the 19th of June for our Muslim worshipers and from the 21st of June for our Christian worshipers, we will be allowing all of our religious bodies to open at a maximum of 40% of their capacity and we’ll be working with them as being expected by the Lagos State Safety Commission.

“But we know that these places of worship have different sizes but even if your 40% capacity is really so large, you cannot have beyond 500 worshipers at once, and keeping that maximum 40% capacity is really important.

“We will be encouraging people to have more than one service and ensure that they keep their premises clean, disinfect before another round of worship can take place.

“We will also be advising that there should only be mandatory Fridays and Sunday services. All other night vigils and services must be put on hold for now until we review our current situation.

Sanwo-Olu added that the state will also be advising that persons below the age of 15 because of how well they walk around should be excused from the places of worship and citizens that are above the age of 65 should not be allowed into these places of worship.

Now that we will be returning to Friday and Sunday worship, it is important that we stay safe by adhering to all the laid down rules that will help stem the spread of Covid-19.

Remember to make someone smile today through your acts of kindness.

Yours,

Ilupeju B