The Gombe State Government has announced the suspension of ban on religious activities imposed to contain the spread COVID-19 in the State.
The government had on Wednesday, April 22 announced a dusk to dawn curfew across the State to contain further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya issued an executive order imposing the curfew across the 11 LGAs of the State from 6 pm to 7 am with effect from Thursday, April 23.
The governor directed that all congregational activities for social, cultural and religious purposes regardless of the number of persons participating in such events should equally be suspended.
However, the governor is now saying that religious gatherings can resume in places of worship with strict adherence to social distancing policy.
He announced the suspension on Thursday shortly after a meeting with religious leaders at the Government House.
He stated that the restriction imposed by the state government on religious gatherings and social activities had yielded results by helping to contain community spread of the virus.
According to him, the religious leaders had given assurances that they would comply with all Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)’s protocols on the COVID-19 while opening Mosques and Churches across the State.
The governor directed that first aid groups of the respective religious organisations would be trained by the State’s special task force on the COVID-19 protocols.
He, however, warned that failure of the religious organisations to comply with the protocols on social distancing, use of face masks, frequent hand washing with soap and water would lead to re-imposition of the ban.
Zamfara
In the same vein, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has lifted the ban on congregational prayers in Mosques and Churches placed to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 in the state.
Mr Matawalle made the announcement in a state-wide radio broadcast on Thursday in Gusau.
“I want to commend the people of the state for supporting the government in our effort to frustrate the spread of coronavirus in our dear state by complying with the lockdown orders.
“In the light of this, therefore, we are suspending restrictions on congregational prayers in Mosques and Churches while appealing to people not to converge in large numbers at the same time,” he said.
Mr Matawalle urged the people to continue to observe social distancing when they meet as well as use face masks to prevent the spread of the virus.
The governor however, said markets in the state would remain closed until further notice, warning that the government would not take it lightly with violators of the orders.
The COVID–19 pandemic has so far claimed five lives, while 18 victims out of 73 confirmed cases have been discharged from the Gusau isolation centre.
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May Allah save the world from this pandemic as soon as possible