Lagos : Churches and mosques to reopen on June 19

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has lifted the ban on religious gatherings in the state, starting from June 19, 2020.

During a media briefing on Thursday, June 4, the governor said his government will allow a restricted opening of religious houses based on compliance reviewed with the state's safety commission.

The governor said mosques are allowed to reopen on June 19, while churches are allowed to reopen on June 21.

Noting that mass gatherings can increase the spread of the coronavirus, Sanwo-Olu said churches and mosques can only reopen at a maximum of 40% of their capacity. "Even if your 40% capacity is really so large, you cannot have beyond 500 (people), and keeping the maximum capacity is really important," he said.

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 had announced on Monday, June 1, 2020 that it was lifting the ban even though the number of cases keep rising in the country.

COVID-19: Government lifts ban on religious gatherings.

Following the declaration that Taraba is covid-19 free, The Taraba State government has said people in the State can resume their religious activities.

Haruna Manu, the state deputy governor made the disclosure during a broadcast on Monday.

He stated that people of the State must adhere to the social distancing and other safety protocols while observing their religious activities. 

 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays have been set aside to enable the residents carry out their activities from 8 am. to 6 pm.

He ordered that the lockdown would still be observed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Warning that violators would face strict penalties, the Deputy governor called on religious leaders and other citizens to comply with the rules.

This is coming at a time when President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the extension of the gradual ease of lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun States due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in these three states.