CoronaVirus Updates
Sanwo-Olu announces partial reopening of Churches, Mosques
BY NICHOLAS ABE
Following the decline in confirmed cases of COVID-19, Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has relaxed some of the lockdown measures taken by the state in response to the spread of the pandemic.
In his 17th briefing on COVID-19 response held at the State House, Marina, on Saturday, the governor directed the re-opening of places of worship in the state, starting from August 7 for mosques and August 9 for churches.
Sanwo-Olu also directed the reopening of social clubs with registered trustees and recreational centres from August 14, but with the condition that they obtain a provisional safety compliance certificate from the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC).
He equally relaxed the public gathering regulation, increasing the permissible capacity from 20 to 50 persons at a given period.
However, night clubs, entertainment centres and cinemas are to remain closed, the governor ordered.
From August 14, restaurants can now resume in-dining services, but at 50 per cent occupancy capacity. Also, safety clearance must be obtained from the Safety Commission before resuming the in-dining services.
In the case of places of worship, only regular services or religious gatherings are permitted. Night vigils and other non-regular events remain prohibited until further notice.
The governor counselled that attendees of over the age of 65 should stay away from attending worship centres, adding that all worship centres must adhere to face mask guideline.
The Governor said the new development followed a careful review of emerging positive events, stressing the decisions to relax the lockdown measures was to create a balance between competing demands of safeguarding lives of the residents and preserving their means of livelihoods.
He said: “Having carefully reviewed the current scenario in Lagos, we have taken some important decisions in line with the ongoing objective of calibrating an effective balance between the competing demands of safeguarding lives and enabling livelihoods.
“Places of worship in Lagos will be allowed to open from Friday, August 7, for our Muslim worshippers, and Sunday, August 9, for Christian worshippers, but only at 50 per cent of their regular capacity. Worship centres whose main worship period falls on Saturdays are equally permitted to hold their services, subject to the same guidelines as churches holding services on Sundays.
“Social clubs and recreational centres will also be allowed to open from August 14, on the condition that they have applied for and obtained a provisional safety compliance certificate via registration on LSSC website. The clearance certificates are at this time being issued only to social clubs with registered trustees.
“Restaurants will now be permitted to open for in-dining services, from August 14, on the condition that they maintain a 50 per cent occupancy capacity. The restaurants must obtain a provisional safety compliance certificate through the LSSC registration portal. We are also increasing the permissible capacity for public gatherings from 20 to 50 persons. This applies to a wide range of events, from funerals, social events to corporate meetings.”
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All the mandatory prevention and control measures issued by the state government must be strictly adhered to, including physical distancing, mandatory temperature checks and use of masks in public places, regular disinfection of premises, and strong personal hygiene, the governor reiterated.
He warned that worship centres and social clubs that re-open without complying with the mandatory hygienic protocols and physical distancing requirements will be shut down and face the wrath of the law.
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State patterned its response strategy after Mumbai, India’s populous city, which according to him, shares similar demographic and climatic conditions with Lagos. He observed that Lagos had recorded similar results and successes with Mumbai in its COVID-19 response.
He said secondary schools should re-open as earlier communicated by the Ministry of Education, from August 3, for Exit Classes only – SSS3 and Technical Studies III (TEC 3) students only.
This, he said, will allow them to have two weeks preparation period to participate in revision classes in preparation for the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). The Governor said all standard precautions must be put in place by school authorities to protect the students.
He said: “As I always say, people need to take responsibility for themselves and their loved ones. Self-regulation is the order of the day, and no one should wait for the government to regulate them or their conduct, even though we will be doing so. Every one of us must take up the responsibility and ensure that we are self-regulating ourselves in our interest and that of our loved ones.”