Ebun Francis| The Lagos State government on Thursday said it would be relaxing some of the protocols being used to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state in the coming days.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who made the disclosure at a press conference in Lagos, explained that this included the approval to reopen religious centres in the next two weeks, although it would come with some conditions.
He said,“Dear Lagosians, we have completed an extended first phase and now, we are entering the second phase of our easing of the lockdown, in line with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and NCDC protocols on ease of lockdown.”
“From 14 days’ time, precisely from June 19 for our Muslim worshippers and from June 21 for our Christian worshippers; we will be allowing all of our religious bodies to open at a maximum of 40 per cent of their capacity and we will be working with them as expected.”
For places of worship with large crowds, the governor insisted that worshippers at such centres must not exceed 500 during a session and that they have been allowed to conduct more than one service on the condition they maintain proper hygiene of the environment.
According to Sanwo-Olu, only Friday and Sunday services should be held for now and all other regular services, including night vigils, must be put on hold.
“As we all know, mass gathering during COVID-19 pandemic can be of serious public health consequences and there are documented evidence that mass gathering can increase the spread of this virus,” he stated.
The governor also announced that hotels and other hospitality businesses could reopen, and restaurants outside hotels were permitted to open for takeaway services only.
According to the governor, the government has engaged critical stakeholders in the last two weeks, including traditional rulers, various religious leaders, and members of the organised private sector in the state.
He continued, “We have now granted offices and private businesses (excluding the prohibited one); all of our organised private sector and manufacturing concerns will now operate and open from 7am-6pm.
“There is a strategy to encourage them run shifts and other flexible hours within their facilities.”
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