Lagos State Government has rolled
back its earlier decision, granting partial re-opening to houses of worship
across the State. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on
Tuesday, announced indefinite
suspension on the order.
By implication, churches and mosques in Lagos must remain closed
for religious activities and gatherings.
The Governor made the development known during the 15th press
briefing held at the State House in Marina to give updates on Lagos Coronavirus
(COVID-19) response.
Besides, Sanwo-Olu said the State Government would be finalising
the protocols to re-open basic and secondary schools, noting that meetings were
currently being held with stakeholders. He said online learning already adopted
by the State-owned tertiary institutions and secondary schools would go on until
stakeholders agree on protocols for schools’ resumption.
The State Government had earlier directed mosques and churches to re-open from June 19 and 21 for
obligatory services only.
The Governor said the reversal of the reopening order became
necessary, following the evolving scenarios being observed in the course of
COVID-19 infection in the State. He said the Government would continue to
developments and take necessary steps when the coast is clear.
He said: “Dear Lagosians, in the most recent guidelines which we
issued on the gradual easing of the lockdown, I noted that we would shortly be
permitting the restricted opening of religious houses, on the condition of
strict compliance with detailed guidelines issued by the Lagos State Safety
Commission (LSSC).
“We have been closely monitoring the situation since then, and
have now concluded that we cannot proceed with any form of re-opening for
places of worship in until further notice. We are now, hereby, suspending, with
immediate effect, the plan to re-open religious houses and places of worship in
Lagos until further notice.
“This is not a decision that we have taken lightly; it is simply
in line with our ongoing evaluation of evolving scenarios regarding the course
of the infection in Lagos and the corresponding public health advisory
guidelines issued by the experts.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and continue
to base our decision-making on data modelling; as well as on the responsibility
we have to act in a manner that ensures the protection of all Lagos residents.”
Sanwo-Olu also directed that all social and entertainment
centres, including cinemas, cafès, restaurants, gyms, parks, nightclubs and
social clubs, must remain closed. The Governor said the LSSC should continue
with the Register-to-Open initiative to get clearance for businesses and social
centres ahead of the new date for reopening.
The registration is free of charge for all entities. Religious
houses are exempted from the registration.
The Governor said the State had entered a phase in the battle
against COVID-19 in which every resident, religious and business entity must
take take personal responsibility for their safety.
Sanwo-Olu said: “Let me make this clear that, we are now fully
in the phase of personal responsibility regarding this pandemic. This means
that the Government will maintain its responsibility to take protective
decisions for the common good. What will ultimately save us all and defeat this
virus are the sensible personal decisions that we take on a daily basis.
“The responsibility we must take includes the use of face masks
anytime we are going into public places, avoiding non-essential travel, staying
at home when we don’t have any business being outside, and washing or
sanitising our hands regularly. These are the simple but necessary steps that
will save and protect us all.”
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