COVID-19: Governor Fayemi Suspends Reopening Of Worship Centres In Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has postponed the reopening of places of worship in the state to August 14, 2020, following alleged inability of the worship centres to meet the prescribed conditions for reopening.

KanyiDaily recalls that Governor Fayemi had ordered the reopening of mosques and churches across the state from July 17.

However, a statement by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, on Friday said the state government suspended the reopening of worship centres after reviewing the preparedness of religious bodies to comply with the protocols on COVID-19.

Yaya-Kolade said that the decision would give religious leaders enough time to meet the prescribed conditions for the reopening of the worship centres.

“The latest communiqué of CAN is indicative of the fact that worship centres are not yet ready to comply with conditions stipulated as guidelines and conditions set out by the government for reopening of worship centres.

“In view of the foregoing, the state government has shifted the date for the reopening of worship centres to August 14, 2020 to give the worship centres enough time to meet the prescribed conditions for the reopening,” the statement reads.

The commissioner reiterated that the guidelines included that children between one and 12 years as well those above 65 years should stay away from the worship centres; maximum of two hours for the congregational service once a week and possession of infrared thermometres for the testing of congregants.

Others included social distancing of two metres in the sitting arrangements of congregants and fumigation of the worship centres with certificate of fumigation from the Ministry of Environment at no cost, provision of running water in front of buildings to ensure regular hand washing, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and wearing of face masks.

Meanwhile, Ekiti Government has vowed to prosecute a soldier’s wife who came into the state from Katsina State with coronavirus despite the lockdown order and prohibition of inter-state movement.