Kwara State government has asked worship centres to reopen from Friday June 5 on the condition that they satisfy certain criteria already agreed with various religious umbrella bodies in the state.
The government, however, warned that the concession for churches and mosques to reopen did not mean that the state had flattened the curve of transmission of COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision came hours after the Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19 held a marathon meeting with the leadership of the Muslim and Christian communities, including the Jama’atu Nasrul Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“We are definitely not out of the woods as cases continue to rise especially because of violation of travel restrictions,” Kayode Alabi, Deputy Governor and Chairman of Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19, told reporters in Ilorin.
The Kwara State government’s Technical Committee on COVID-19 held a meeting with various religious leaders and umbrella bodies, especially the Jama’atu Nasrul Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on whether or not to reopen the worship centres across the state, as suggested by the Federal Government.
At the end of the meeting, certain conditions were agreed upon by stakeholders as condition to open the worship centres.
The committee made it clear that it preferred that worship centres remained shut until it was clear that the COVID-19 curve had been flattened.
“However, in line with the presidential advisory and the positions of our religious umbrella bodies in Kwara State, worship centres in Kwara State may reopen from June 5 (Friday) provided they satisfy the following conditions:
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“Worship centres shall be organised (by the respective head of the congregation) in such a way that one attendant is at least one metre away from the next.
“Each worship centre shall make provisions for hand washing or hand sanitisers, and infrared thermometer
“Wearing of face masks shall be mandatory for all worshippers
“There shall be no hand shaking or hugging among worshippers.
“Children remain restricted from worship centres. People above 65 or persons with underlying health conditions are urged to stay away from worship centres
“Muslims should perform ablution from their own houses. Ablution spots are not allowed for now to avoid the spread of the virus.
“Muslim women are to stay away from mosques, as suggested by the leadership of the Muslim community in the state.
“Each worship centre is to dedicate a few minutes before service or prayers to educate attendants about COVID-19 and its dangers. Adequate ventilation is to be ensured at each worship centre.”
