Jubilation As Ogun State Announces Date For Reopening Of Churches

A church in Nigeria

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has announced a date for reopening of worship centres in the state.

The announcement made on Wednesday stated that worship centres would reopen in the state effective August 14.

He made the disclosure while giving COVID-19 updates at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

He warned that any worship centre that fails to follow all the guidelines would be sanctioned appropriately, noting that even the holy books stipulate obedience to constituted authorities.

Some of the measures put in place include mandatorily use of face masks, sitting two metres apart, provision of handwashing facilities, amongst others.

He said, “We urge our religious leaders to ensure that they abide by the measures mutually agreed upon and rolled out. As a government, we 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. It is important to note that all religions obey God and the authorities of the land.

“Wearing of face masks in the public is now compulsory. Therefore, I hereby invoke powers conferred on me by Regulation 7 of the Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations No. 2 of 2020 (the Regulations), made pursuant to Section 33 of the Public Health Law of Ogun State (the Law), to mandate the compulsory wearing of face masks by all persons in public as part of measures to prevent the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

“Failure to do so is punishable by up to six months imprisonment under Regulation 8 of the Regulations and Section 68 of the Law.”

On education, the governor said graduating pupils should resume on August 4 in line with the federal government directive to prepare for their examinations starting from August 17.