Lagos state governor babajide sanwo-olu has given a directive for the full re-opening of churches and mosques in the state. The governor said mosques can hold their prayers five times daily while churches can also commence weekly services.
The governor had on Friday, August 7 allowed mosques and churches to commence their Friday and Sunday services only. He, however, warned that the safety protocols released by the government must be strictly adhered to.
He said:
“As regards our places of worship, we are now also permitting the mosques to resume their five times a day prayers; and in the case of churches, they are now also permitted to resume their mid-week services. We must not forget that the Coronavirus pandemic is still very much with us, and we must therefore strive to prioritise the safety of all our children, teachers, parents, and the entire society.”
Worship centres in the state had been shut since March as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
As of Friday, September 18, 2020, the governor said, Lagos State had conducted close to 100,000 tests, and recorded a total of 18,854 confirmed cases of COVID-19 – 15,598 have recovered in community, 592 are currently active in the community, and 207 deaths have sadly occurred.
“It is however interesting to note that we have also recorded a dramatic decline in the number of Covid-19 related deaths at our facilities,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu advised citizens not to let down their guide against the pandemic, urging them to act responsibly by maintaining the required levels of hygiene.
“The Lagos State Government, like the Federal Government, is committed to continuing the maintenance of a fine balance between the safety of lives and the sustenance of livelihoods.
“We will continue to make adjustments as required, but the gradual resumption of social, educational, and economic activity must never be taken as an excuse to let down our guard against the pandemic,” the governor said.