Governor David Umahi lifted the ban on religious
activities in the state of Ebonyi on Friday. He said that religious centers can
now have services once a week, but will follow the COVID-19 preventive
protocol.
activities in the state of Ebonyi on Friday. He said that religious centers can
now have services once a week, but will follow the COVID-19 preventive
protocol.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and State
Orientation, Uchenna Orji, announced the governor’s decision in a statement on
Friday.
Orientation, Uchenna Orji, announced the governor’s decision in a statement on
Friday.
Mr Umahi had declared the ban last month to check
the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state.
the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state.
Despite the ban and other measures including the
closure of the state boundaries, Ebonyi still recorded nine cases of the virus.
closure of the state boundaries, Ebonyi still recorded nine cases of the virus.
The lifting of the ban followed weeks of pressure
by some Christians in the state who questioned why churches were closed while
markets remained opened.
by some Christians in the state who questioned why churches were closed while
markets remained opened.
The statement said the waiver was in response to
the passionate appeal made by the leadership of the Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN), Ebonyi State Chapter, and other Christian leaders in the state.
the passionate appeal made by the leadership of the Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN), Ebonyi State Chapter, and other Christian leaders in the state.
According to the commissioner, the conditions for
the reopening of the churches include that they observe their service only on
Sundays from 9 a.m to 11 a.m.
the reopening of the churches include that they observe their service only on
Sundays from 9 a.m to 11 a.m.
That Seventh Day Adventist and Muslim faithful are
to observe their service on Saturdays and Fridays respectively from 9 a.m – 11
a.m. No religious centre shall permit more than 500 people and worshipers shall
observe a minimum of two meters social distancing from one another.
to observe their service on Saturdays and Fridays respectively from 9 a.m – 11
a.m. No religious centre shall permit more than 500 people and worshipers shall
observe a minimum of two meters social distancing from one another.
Wearing of face masks, 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.
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.
Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN) has a duty
to close down any religious gathering and arrest the principal of the worship
centre that violates this order.”
to close down any religious gathering and arrest the principal of the worship
centre that violates this order.”
According to the
statement, the governor urged religious bodies in the state to take advantage
of the opportunity to raise awareness among their leaders of the procedures ,
rules, laws and regulations concerning COVID-19 and to pray for the State and
Nigeria.
statement, the governor urged religious bodies in the state to take advantage
of the opportunity to raise awareness among their leaders of the procedures ,
rules, laws and regulations concerning COVID-19 and to pray for the 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 among them.
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 among them.
