COVID-19: Churches And Mosques To Remain Closed In Lagos

Lagos state Government has said the possibility of reopening churches and mosques in the state has been ruled out.

This comes a day after the Federal Government lifted the ban on mosques and churches in the country based on guidelines and protocols agreed with state governments.

Read Also: COVID-19: Churches, Mosques To Reopen As FG Lifts Ban On Religious Gatherings

The state government has now said opening churches and mosques might not occur now due to the peculiar nature of Lagos State.

The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said this at the 2020 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the first year in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Daily Trust reports.

He noted that;

Even before the pronouncement by Federal Government, we have been having meeting with the religious leaders, we even have one with Safety Commission, looking at the possibility of reopening of religious houses.

We also had one with the leaders of the two faith and I want to tell you categorically that at that meeting, possibility of reopening religious houses was ruled out totally.

The commissioner added that;

They claimed that they cannot take such responsibility of ensuring that only 20 or 50 people are praying behind them. Like an Imam said, he doesn’t know what is going on at the back immediately he is leading a prayer. He said if more than 20 or 50 people are staying at his back he was not going to take responsibility for their presence.

So in the meeting, we ruled out in totality the issue of reopening the religious houses until we have a clear coast for us to do so. The Federal Government mentioned it, but it never ruled out the state in achieving that pronouncement, so all states will have to look at possibility of doing so in their respective states.

Giving a reason for the decision, Prince Elegushi explained that coronavirus cases in the state are still rising but that Governor Sanwo-Olu will give further directives about religious gatherings.