The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has lifted the ban on religious gatherings in the state, starting from 19 June 2020.
During a media briefing on Thursday, 4 June, the governor said his government will allow a restricted opening of religious houses based on compliance reviewed with the state’s safety commission.
The governor said that mosques are allowed to reopen on June 19, while churches are allowed to reopen on June 21.
Noting that mass gatherings can increase the spread of the coronavirus, Sanwo-Olu said churches and mosques can only reopen at a maximum of 40% of their capacity.
“Even if your 40% capacity is really so large, you cannot have beyond 500 (people), and keeping the maximum capacity is really important,” he says
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 had announced on Monday, 1 June 2020 that it was lifting the ban even though the number of cases keep rising in the country.
His speech in part reads:
“From the 19th of June for our Muslim worshippers and 21st of June for our Christian worshippers, we will be allowing all of our religious bodies to open at the maximum of 40% of their capacity.
“Even if your 40% capacity is so at large, you cannot have beyond 500 worshippers at once.
“We will be encouraging people to have more than one service and to ensure that they keep there premises clean, disinfect before another round of worship can take place.
“We will also be advising that there should only be mandatory Friday and Sunday services. All other night vigils and services must be put on hold for now until we review our current situation.
“Persons below the age of 15 should be excused from the places of worship and citizens that are above the age of 65 should not be allowed into these places of worship.”
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