By Gbadamosi Oladimeji
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has ordered the resumption of religious activities in the state despite recording another COVID-19 death.
Akeredolu gave the order on Wednesday in Akure, Ondo State, during a weekly media briefing on COVID-19 in the state.
According to him, “the state has recorded its second COVID-19 related death”, adding that churches will only operate on Sundays while Mosques will be allowed on Fridays.
Akeredolu said that religious worship appears to be the last hope of both the high and low in the society, hence, his resolve to lift the ban on religious activities so that everyone will continue to seek the face of God over the ravaging disease.
It could be recalled that on March 23, 2020, a ban was placed on religious activities in the state as part of measures for combating the deadly virus.
He stressed that the decision to lift the ban was reached after consultation with religious leaders in the state, following the agreement that the necessary measures of preventing COVID-19 will be adhered to, during meetings.
“I hereby direct the resumption of guided and syndicated religious activities throughout the state. The implementation of this resumption of activities will be gradual and systematic”, he said.
“As agreed with religious leaders, in specific terms, worship centers are to commence their main activities with effect from this Friday”, he added.
However, such approvals are not blanket and without restrictions, rather they are to be guided by the following which is derived from the general response protocols on COVID-19 nationally:
He noted that only weekly Friday Jumat services and Sunday Church services will commence in the first instance. Other daily programs within the week are not yet approved for take-off.
“Religious leaders and administrators must ensure strict compliance with the social and physical distancing in places of worship. In the case of churches, not more than three people are expected to sit on a pew while the equivalent applies to the sitting positions in the mosques and other worship centers as well”, he said.
Akeredolu explained that “Water and soap must be provided at all entries into the centers or halls of worship. All worshipers must be made to wash their hands in the standard pattern approved and practiced since the beginning of the pandemic”.
Additionally, hand sanitizers must be provided and used by each worshipper at every entry point to the centers and at other convenient points within the premises.
The governor, however, threatened to shut down any worship center that fail to adhere to the laid down rules.
While speaking on the recent death of Covid-19 patient, the governor said that, the 24th Covid-19 patient that was discovered in the state was said to have died on the same day he was brought to the hospital.
The deceased was rushed to the General Hospital, Igbara-Oke, Ifedore Local Government Area of the state as a regular patient of flu, fever, cough and other symptoms which was later confirmed to be Covid-19.
