Chris Otaigbe
Lagos State’s decision to suspend reopening of worship centers, indefinitely, to curb the rising number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, has generated mixed reactions from residents in the state.
Some residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos on Friday that the suspension of the opening of religious places of worship was just a temporary solution.
They urged the state government to come up with lasting solutions by looking at other areas where the virus could easily be spread and ensure they curb it.
Others said the pandemic could only go away when people are allowed to gather in unity to beseech God’s mercies.
Mr Uche Agwu, who commended the state government said it was a good decision, for now, considering the number of new cases being recorded.
He added that it was not necessary that people worship from the building of religious institutions, saying that churches and mosques could continue to operate virtually.
Agwu, however, expressed his displeasure on how the markets, which were opened for business operated.
“I see it as an avenue for the spread of the virus because no form of social distancing is observed,” he said.
He noted that offices had been compliant in observing the guidelines on social distancing, use of face masks and hand washing.
Agwu urged the state government to ensure that the law enforcement agencies check the spread of the virus, which he said came from unmanned areas such as markets.
Mr John Timothy empathized with the state government for the burden of COVID-19 and its having to take the decision to suspend the resumption of religious places of worship due to the rising number of the pandemic in the state.
He, however, said government could also have used the religious institutions as a campaign strategy to ensure people followed laid-down guidelines.
According to him, most people respect their religious leaders and obey their instructions; if they tell the worshippers to do something, they will.
Timothy further said that opening the religious institutions was a way of providing succor to those experiencing one form of trauma or the other as a result of the effects of the pandemic.
Hudu Katsina said: “Government should allow mosques and churches to open so we can unite and pray; if we don’t pray well, the coronavirus will not go away.”
Adamu Yusuf said opening of religious places of worship will give room for people to pray in unity and reduce discrimination in the society.
“I was not happy when I heard the news. When we come together to pray, there is oneness. There’s no discrimination between the rich and the common man. When we pray separately, they’re far from us and don’t know our challenges and how to help us,” he said.
Statistics from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), shows Lagos has recorded no fewer than 7,319 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 1,137 are considered recovered while 82 are dead, a worried Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu cancelled reopening of Worship centers across Lagos originally scheduled for June 19, 2020.
Making the announcement on Tuesday, on June 16, 2020 at a televised press briefing, the governor had on Thursday, June 4 asked mosques to reopen from June 19, adding that churches can begin services from June 21.
According to the State’s Chief Executive, the reopening was cancelled because of the increasing cases of COVID-19 in the state.
While making the announcement, the governor said the suspension of the reopening of worship centers is “indefinite”, adding that social centers, events centers and social clubs, will also remain closed in the state.
As at midnight, June 15, 2020, the day before the indefinite postponement, Lagos State had recorded a total of 7,319 confirmed cases of Covid-19. Of this number, 1,137 have fully recovered and discharged, while 82 have lost their Lives, leaving 6,100 active cases under management in the State.
Thus, Lagos State continues to be the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, with about 44 per cent of the total number of confirmed cases nationwide.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the decision, to postpone the reopening indefinitely, was taken lightly, in line with the state’s ongoing evaluation of evolving scenarios regarding the course of the infection in Lagos State and the corresponding public health advisory guidelines issued by the experts.
It was against this backdrop that the State government suspended, with immediate effect, the plan to re-open religious houses and places of worship in Lagos State, until further notice.
“Therefore, until further notice, all places of worship in Lagos State will remain closed. Social and events centers, and social clubs, will also remain closed, for now.” Said the Governor.
