Ondo lifts ban on religious activities

Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has lifted the ban on religious gatherings in the state.

Akeredolu placed a ban on religious gatherings as part of an effort to contain coronavirus spread in the state.

Akeredolu said at a press conference at Government House, Alagbaka, Akure on Wednesday religious gatherings would be in line with the preventive measures on COVID-19.

According to him, the state government discussed with religious leaders before lifting the ban.

He said “As agreed with religious leaders, in specific terms, worship centres are to commence their main activities with effect from Friday.

“Only weekly Friday Jumat services and Sunday church services will commence in the first instance. Other daily programmes within the week are not yet approved for takeoff.”

He added, “Religious leaders and administrators must ensure strict compliance with the physical distancing rules in places of worship. In the case of churches, not more than three people are expected to sit on a pew while the equivalent applies to the sitting positions in the mosques and other worship centres.

“Water and soap must be provided at all entries into the centres or halls of worship.

“All worshipers must be made to wash their hands in the pattern approved and practised since the beginning of the pandemic.

“Hand sanitisers must be provided and used by each worshipper at every entry point and at other convenient points on the premises. All worshippers and workers inside the centres and on the premises must wear face masks properly during the duration of the service.

“Churches, mosques and other religious centres must regularly decontaminate and sanitise their premises, facilities and equipment before and after the services.”

Akeredolu warned that any religious centres that failed to follow the stipulated guidelines would be shut down immediately.

He also announced that four more coronavirus cases had been recorded in the state.