COVID-19: Ogun to reopen churches, mosques June 19, gives guidelines

Worship centres, including churches and mosques, are to reopen in Ogun State on June 19 as the state government Friday released guidelines to further ease lockdown.










Governor Dapo Abiodun, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the update of coronavirus pandemic, said a task force had been set up to monitor compliance with the agreed guidelines for religious activities.

Abiodun, however, stated that the reopening of religious centres was subject to the review of their preparedness.


The governor, who lauded religious leaders for their cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, noted that the gradual relaxation of lockdown in the state was because there is an acknowledgement of a new normal.


He explained that government officials had engaged with religious leaders to work out modalities for gradual lifting of restrictions on religious activities and obtained written submissions from both the Christian Association of Nigeria and the League of Imams and Alfas.


He added: “A sub-committee, inclusive of the religious leaders, will review the submissions, the discussions as well as expert opinions of medical scientists to harmonise all the views to arrive at a composite framework for final adoption of the committee in the next few days, on or before Friday, 12th June, 2020;










“The 12th June deadline for the completion of the guidelines, which will be unveiled to the public in my next address is to enable the gradual opening of religious activities to tentatively commence on Friday, 19th June, 2020, subject to the review of preparedness by our churches and mosques to the new normal.


“A taskforce comprising of the religious leaders, government and security agencies will be established to monitor and ensure compliance with the agreed guidelines for religious activities.


“Any place of worship that violates the guidelines will be closed. The guidelines will be reviewed at regular intervals, based on developments, including expert opinions and data from the field.”










Abiodun, who stated that the state had so far recorded nine coronavirus-related deaths and currently has 148 active cases, urged residents to continue to comply with safety protocols.


The governor assured that fumigation will continue in markets and other public places in the state.










He, however, declared that gyms, event centres, cinemas, arcades, bars, casinos, nightclubs, swimming pools, barber-shops, spas, beauty salons, and all public parks, including those in private residential estates, are still not allowed to operate in the state.