Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has placed a ban on staging of street carnivals and crowded cross- over night service, ahead of the celebration of Christmas this Friday and New year's eve Thursday, next week in the state, admidst an increase in the second wave of COVID-19 infection across the country.
All Schools in the state are directed to closed until January 18, 2021, while all bars, nightclubs, pubs and event centres, recreational centres have also been closed down indefinitely.
Abiodun in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin made available to Edu-Biznews on Wednesday in Abeokuta, also suspended social events and similar gatherings while calling for restraint in the celebration of the festive season.
The governor equally directed all civil servants and other government workers in the State, except those on essential services to proceed on a 10-day Christmas and New Year holiday from today (Thursday), December 24. 'They are to resume on Monday, January 4, 2021."
Abiodun in the statement, explained that the directives would be reviewed by the government from time-to-time.
According to him,"These decisions were taken following consultations with religious leaders from the League of Imams and the Christian Association of Nigeria as well as community leaders as part of the measures and guidelines for public health as the state prepares for a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic."
The governor further directed that all markets are to open strictly between 8am and 4pm while adhering to all COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, use of face mask, provision of hand sanitizer and/or hand-washing equipment at every strategic point within their malls, shops, business premises
Religious and worship centres in the state according to the statement, "should not exceed 50 per cent of their capacity during service. And where the 50 per cent exceeds 50 persons, the service should be held in the open, or alternatively, multiple services of not more than 50 congregants could be held inside at hourly intervals. All services must also be in compliance with all COVID-19 protocols".
Aside the worship centers, Abiodun further directed that “there should be no gatherings of more than 50 people at any event or ceremonies, such as conferences, congresses, office events, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, cross-over nights, end of year parties, weddings, naming, birthdays, anniversaries, street carnivals, etc until further notice”.
He also directed motorcycle (okada), tricycle, bus, car, taxi and other transport operators to not to carry passengers above 50 percent of their capacity, in compliance with social distancing rules.
The governor urged people of the state to celebrate in moderation, wishing them , a Merry Christmas and prosperous 2021.
He asked them to take personal responsibilities and stay within their residences and not embark on travels within and outside the State to ensure they neither transmit nor contract the virus.
The governor explained that the meeting
with the League of Imams and Alfas, the Christian Association of Nigeria leaders agreed that religious centres, adopted the earlier positions taken in the wake of COVID-19 earlier in the year which includes that" All worship activities must be observed by not more than 50percent of capacity"
" All congregants must wear their face masks appropriately (that is, No facemask, No entry)
Other positions read in parts
"There should be reliable sources of running water"
"Worship centres should be adequately cleaned and disinfected before and after services"
" Household bleach solution should be adequately prepared for disinfectations"
"There should be adequate provision and supervision of multiple Veronica Buckets for handwashing (fully automated handwashing machines are preferable)"
"There should be provision of alcohol-based sanitiser which must be used before and at intervals of every 20 minutes as well as after service"
"Worship centre should provide adequate toilet facilities with water"
"It is paramount for Muslims to perform ablution at home and go to Mosque with their personal praying mats"
" Qualified Medical Practitioners or trained personnels should check the temperature of worshippers with infrared thermometer before allowing them to enter worship centres"
"There should be adequate medical support for sick persons"
" All services on Friday/Sunday and other week days must adhere strictly to COVID-19 Guidelines"
"There should be pre-designated standing position/sitting points to ensure not less than 2 meter distancing"
"The duration of religious services should not be more than one hour. In addition, same duration must be observed at intervals, where there are multiple services"
" The use of Air-conditioners should be discouraged while worship centres should be well ventilated with the use of fans"
"There should not be any handshake/hugs by worshippers
Proper awareness of the susceptibility of the aged and people with signs of ill-health should be adequately created among worshippers at all times"
"Constant sensitisation of COVID-19 and its dangers should be included in sermon and goodwill messages"
"Provision of isolation rooms is mandatory in all worship centres or facilities"
"Religious services and events should be recorded with digital camera for record purposes"
"Government will not hesitate to impose severe sanctions (including, but not limited to lockdown) on any Worship Centre that fails to comply with the laid down guidelines"
"No social gathering should exceed 50 people while 2 meters social distancing must be observed in such gatherings
" Disposable elements should be used during Holy Communion instead of sharing cups"
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