Coronavirus: Enugu Government Lifts Ban On Religious Gatherings From Sunday May 10th

Published: May 8, 2020

Enugu State Government has lifted the ban on religious gatherings occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

This was made known by the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Enugu State chapter, on Thursday following an agreement with the state government.

A statement issued in Enugu by Most. Rev. Christopher Ede, the state Chairman of CCN, said that church worship services would resume in all churches across the state on Sunday, May 10, 2020.

Ede, who is the Archbishop of Enugu Methodist Church Nigeria, said that each denomination must observe all the safety protocols on public gatherings, as recommended by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other government guidelines.

“All member-churches of the CCN, Enugu State, are hereby notified that we have reached an agreement with the governor on the resumption of public worships, with effect from May 10,” he said.

Ede, however, said that such gatherings must observe social distancing protocol, with not more than 20 persons meeting in a church hall at a given time.

The cleric urged all denominations to keep to the rules of hygiene, such as washing of hands, use of hand sanitiser and face masks by worshipers.

“Churches should make each service short and ensure that members are sensitised during the period of preaching on how to protect themselves from the virus.
“No church is permitted to exceed noon on each worship day and you are at liberty to hold many sessions of worship within the specified time,” he said.

Ede said that religious activities involving large congregations were permitted only on Sundays.

“We shall continue periodic review of the situation with the governor to do what is best for the safety of the people at each time.
“Ministers and pastors are to take personal responsibility of making sure that the rules are obeyed, as any escalation of the virus may lead to another complete lockdown in the state,” Ede said.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Enugu State currently has nine cases of coronavirus disease that has infected 3,536 persons across the country.