COVID-19: Ortom lifts ban on religious worship, to review school resumption ban

Benue State Government has lifted ban on religious worship in the State, effective from today, even as workers on grade levels 1 to 12 who were asked to stay at home have been directed to resume work on June 1, 2020.









Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor,  Terver Akase,  who made this known in a statement on Thursday,  said Churches and Mosques in the State are to hold staggered worship sessions while workers must always wear face masks and maintain social distancing while at work.









The government also said the issue of school resumption will be reviewed in the next 14 days.


The Chief Press Secretary said;  “The Benue State Executive Council met with the State Action Committee on COVID-19 today, 21st May, 2020 at Benue Peoples House, Makurdi and made the following resolutions as presented to the media by Governor Samuel Ortom:
“Workers on grade levels 1 to 12 who were asked to stay at home are to resume work on June 1, 2020.


The workers are advised to always wear face masks and maintain social distancing as they go to work.


“Churches and Mosques with effect from today Thursday, May 21, 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 sessions in a day.









“Street trading is encouraged but strictly obeying social distancing protocol on COVID-19. Markets will be partially opened to enable traders access their shops.
“Fumigation of markets will be carried out periodically.


“Inter-state movement remains prohibited, except those on essential services.
“The prevailing curfew in the State has been reviewed to now last between the hours of 8pm to 6am daily, until further notice.


“Benue people have been encouraged to intensify their farming activities.
“The issue of school resumption is to be reviewed in the next 14 days.”