Lagos State government has issued a statement Tuesday, 2nd June that it will not re-open churches and mosques yet. This is contrary to the advise of the Presidential Task Force on #COVID19.
The National Coordinator of the PTF, Mr Sani Aliyu advised earlier today that churches and mosques could open on the condition that they observe all health advisory. The advisory comprise wearing of face masks, washing of hands and social distancing.
He however, cautions that reopening places of worship is still not recommended especially if they can be avoided. In his words,
“We are not recommending that people should go to places of worship, but if they have to, we are providing guidelines that will make it safe to do so.
Sani Aliyu listed the guidelines to include: “All worshipers must sanitise their hands, wear face masks and practice social distancing.
On its part, the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi said that the state is not planning to re-open churches and mosques soon.
In his words, “Even before the pronouncement by the Federal Government, we have been having meetings with the religious leaders. We even have one with the Safety Commission looking at the possibility of re-opening of religious houses.
“We also had one with the leaders of the two faith and I want to tell you categorically that at that meeting, the possibility of re-opening religious houses was ruled out totally.
”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 his back immediately he is leading the 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 re-opening 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 achieving that pronouncement, so all states will have to look at possibilities 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 that they themselves will tell us not to do it.>