Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Wednesday announced a review of the COVID-19 measures in line with the Presidential Task Force on the pandemic with a resolve to open up worship centres.
Briefing newsmen after an expanded meeting of State Executive Council and State Action Committee On Covid-19, Governor Samuel Ortom said “Churches and Mosques with effect from today, Wednesday, June 3, 2020, are to hold staggered worship sessions.
“This implies that a Church or Mosque which before now held two worship sessions should henceforth conduct four or more sessions in a day to ensure physical distancing.”
He cautioned that each worship session must not last more than one hour.
He advised that Churches and Mosques should endeavour to provide water, soap and alcohol based hand sanitizers for worshippers, and should insist on wearing of face masks.
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The Governor also directed Benue State civil servants from grade levels 1 to 12 to resume work on June 8, 2020. He said the workers are advised to always wear face masks and maintain physical distancing as they go to work.
According to him, schools, however, are to remain closed till further notice while markets are to be opened but subject to physical distancing protocol on COVID-19.
“Public gatherings are permitted with a maximum of 30 persons who must comply with the protocol of COVID-19.
He said inter-state movement still remains banned, except those on essential services, adding that the prevailing curfew in the state has been reviewed to now last between the hours of 10p.m to 4a.m daily, until further notice.
Governor Ortom expressed appreciation to the people of Benue State for the cooperation and understanding they have shown.