COVID-19: Lagos, Ogun ban high density gatherings
The Lagos and Ogun state governments on Wednesday suspended all religious gatherings above 50 people for four weeks and banned high density gatherings over the spread of the coronavirus.
The enforcement takes immediate effect.
In Lagos, the decision was announced by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Olanrewaju Anofiu Elegushi, after extensive deliberations within religious leaders including leadership of the Lagos Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Islamic leaders.
In a communique after the deliberation, the Commissioner said the decision was taken in the interest of Lagosians.
“We met with religious leaders both Christians and Muslims. We discussed, argued and realised the lives of Lagosians is important to us. Let me assure you the state government is not insensitive to religious activities.
“We are concerned only the living can worship God. Having discussed extensively, the heads of religious bodies agreed government should embark on massive education of the virus at the grassroots level.
“Health workers should up their games while more should be recruited. Hospitals should be compelled to attend to people without prejudice. In view of this we have decided to suspend all religious activities above 50 people and the enforcement starts with immediate effect,” the commissioner said.
He added a 15-man committee has been set up involving top religious leaders to ensure compliance.
Speaking after the announcement, the chairman, CAN, Lagos State, Prof. Apostle Alexander Bamgbala, said the association is glad with the development.
“We are going to follow the directive of the government. We are at a critical moment in our nation. God has been hearing our prayers concerning Coronavirus.
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“In view of the increase in number of infected cases, we must be proactive. It is not about religion but survival. We need to listen to government and be proactive so that God will continue to answer us,” he said.
On its part, the Ogun State government announced the immediate ban of all high-density gatherings that would bring together 50 or more persons in the same place, such as social clubs, halls, cinemas, night clubs, restaurants, cafes, and sport arenas.
This measure, the state government explained, will be in effect for the next 30 days in the first instance.
A statement issued on Wednesday said “this restriction has to be enforced without prejudice to people’s fundamental rights to association and movement, because safety of our people and their welfare are priorities that cannot be toyed with”.
The statement reads in part: “The Government will continue to engage all the stakeholders, including our religious leaders to sensitise the populace on the need to maintain social distancing and collective effort to combat this pandemic.
“The Government will continue the surveillance initiatives and intensify sensitisation on COVID-19. This is more so given the peculiarity of its location as the Nation’s Gateway State and its industrial capital.
“Our epidemiologists and other health workers are working round the clock with Federal agencies and international development agencies to stop the spread of corona virus.
“In view of the recent confirmed cases in the country, Governor Abiodun reassures the populace that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that the state is prepared at all times to respond appropriately. He further encourages people to maintain a high level of suspicion and report any suspected case to the appropriate authorities”.
