Umahi succumbs to pressure, lifts ban on religious gatherings
Governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi on Friday succumbed to pressure from the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), by ordering the immediate resumption of religious worship effective from Sunday.
Umahi directed that all worship centres should start by 9:00am and close by 11:00am, and that all religious gatherings should be once a week.
The governor made this known in a statement through the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Orji Uchenna Orji, in Abakaliki.
He cautioned the leadership of CAN in the state to be vigilant in ensuring that worshippers adhere to measures put in place to control the COVID-19 pandemic from spreading in the state.
He said: “In response to the passionate appeal made by the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ebonyi state chapter and some of our revered bishops that religious centres be re-opened for worship, under strict observance of COVID-19 policy and state laws, and having prayerfully reviewed the request and in consultation with state leaders, the governor hereby directs that religious centres in the state be re-opened for worship once a week: effective from May 15.
“All churches are to observe their service only on Sundays from 9am to 11 am. Seventh Day Adventist and Muslim faithful are to observe their service on Fridays and Saturdays respectively, from 9 am – 11am.
“No religious centre shall permit more than 500 people (in the case of big churches) and worshipers shall observe a minimum of two metres social distancing from one another.
“Wearing of facemasks, washing of hands with running water and use of hand sanitisers must be strictly observed in all religious centres. No religious service is allowed to hold any other day other than the days specified herein and which must be in strict observance of all COVID-19 laws and regulations.”
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Umahi stated further that CAN has a duty to close down any religious gathering and arrest the principal of the worship centre that violates the order.
“The governor requests all religious bodies in the state to use this opportunity of window of worship to create awareness among their members on the protocols, policies, laws and regulations regarding COVID-19 and to pray for our dear state and Nigeria.
“They are also enjoined to use the opportunity to advise their members to aggressively participate in agriculture and other lawful means of livelihood.
“CAN leadership and anti- COVID-19 committee on religious centres are requested to please mount strict monitoring of all religious centres in the state and ensure strict compliance and discipline,” the goveenor stated.
