Nigeria: Churches, Mosques Reopen Tuesday Amidst Increasing Covid-19 Cases

Samuel Oyejola, Abuja

The federal government has announced relaxation of ban on religious gathering in Nigeria effective from Tuesday June 2, 2020 despite increasing cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Therefore, churches, mosques and other religious centres would reopen in full compliance with guidelines of Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 to curtail spread of the noble coronavirus.

President Muhammadu Buhari had imposed the ban two months ago to check the spread of coronavirus.

The Chairman of Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha disclosed President Buhari’ approval for relaxation of the ban for four weeks during daily Press briefing on Monday.

His words: “The PTF submitted its recommendations and the PRESIDENT has approved the following for implementation over the next four weeks spanning 2nd – 29th June, 2020, subject to review-:

“Cautious advance into the Second Phase of the national response to COVID-19; application of science and data to guide the targeting of areas of on-going high transmission of COVID-19 in the country

‘:Mobilisation of all resources at State and Local Government levels to create public awareness on COVID 19 and improve compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions within communities; sustenance of key non-pharmaceutical interventions that would apply nationwide and include: ban of gatherings of more than 20 people outside of a workplace;

“Relaxation of restriction on places of Worship based on guidelines issued by the PTF and protocols agreed by state governments.”