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Lagos state government has modified the protocols and guidelines recently announced by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on coronavirus response, which gave a regulated permission for resumption of business and religious activities across the nation as part of measures to ease the nationwide lockdown.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, granted the partial relaxation of the prohibition placed on religious gatherings.
From June 19, Muslims can congregate for Jummat service only, while from June 21, Christian worshippers are allowed to open churches for Sunday services only.
However, all the permitted religious activities must be conducted within the ambit of a set of new protocols for organised gatherings rolled out by an inter-ministerial committee set up by Gov. Sanwo-Olu and chaired by the commissioner for special duties and inter-governmental relations.
These developments were announced at the governor’s 13th briefing held at the State House in Marina.
Under the new guidelines, cinemas, cafès, restaurants, gyms, parks, nightclubs and social clubs are still not permitted to re-open.
They are mandated to register with the Lagos state Safety Commission where they will obtain safety clearance before their opening date will be announced.
Houses of worship are however, exempted from the registration and clearance, but their activities will be duly monitored by the safety agency.
The governor emphasised that the pronouncement should not be taken as permission for full reopening of places of worship, but that their activities must be limited to obligatory worships only, adding that daily vigils and other extra-religious activities remain prohibited.
Besides, Sanwo-Olu said the state had not gotten clear signals for the re-opening of schools, pointing out that the state government was still meeting with stakeholders to agree on protocols for schools resumption.
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This he said, is expected to be finalised in two weeks. However, the governor affirmed the federal government’s imposed dusk-to-dawn curfew, starting from 10pm to 4am.
He said: “In line with the promise I made to you two weeks ago, I set up a committee with several ministries chaired by the commissioner for special duties and inter-governmental relations, to draw up guidelines for the phased re-opening of organised gatherings in the state.
“We will from June 19 and 21, be allowing all our places of worship to re-open for obligatory services only at the maximum of the 40 per cent of their capacities. These eased measures must be accompanied by physical distancing, mandatory temperature checks, use of face masks and strong personal hygiene.
“Social, entertainment and event centres, such as clubs, gyms, spas, parks, nightclubs, and cinemas, will still remain closed for the next two weeks at first instance.
“The operators of these centres should use this period to prepare their premises for reopening, by registering with the Lagos state Safety Commission and familiarise themselves with the detailed guidelines and requirements.”
Sanwo-Olu prohibited vulnerable persons from participating in organised religious gatherings, saying houses of worships must consider the option of virtual platforms for members below 15 years and above 65 years.
“Officiating priests above 65 years are exempted, but they must maintain appropriate social distancing from the congregants,” he addy.
The governor directed that houses of worship must also maintain a no face mask, no entry policy throughout the duration of their activities, just as periodic cleaning and disinfection of facilities must be carried out in line with public health guidelines.
Sanwo-Olu also directed all civil servants on the Grade Levels 13 to 14 in the unified public service to return to work from June 8, while those on Grade Level 1 to 12 are to stay away from office until further notice.
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