Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun says the government would allow gradual reopening of the religious activities in the state from June 19.
The governor, while addressing newsmen on Friday night on COVID – 19 update at the Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, said the government had engaged both the Christian Association of Nigeria and the League of Imams and Alfas on how the restrictions on places of worship can be relaxed.
To this end, he said a sub – committee comprising religious leaders have been set to review the submissions as well as expert opinions of medical scientists and arrive at a composite framework for final adoption.
The governor explained that the committee is expected to submit its report on or before next Friday, preparatory to tentative and gradual opening of religious activities from June 19.
He said “A sub- committee, inclusive of the religious leaders, will review the submissions, the discussions as well as expert opinions of medical scientists to harmonise all the views to arrive at a composite framework for final adoption of the committee in the next few days, on or before Friday, 12th June, 2020.
“The 12th June deadline for the completion of the guidelines, which will be unveiled to the public in my next address is to enable the gradual opening of religious activities to tentatively commence on Friday, 19th, June, 2020, subject to the review of preparedness by our churches and mosques to the new normal.
“A taskforce comprising of the religious leaders, government and security agencies will be established to monitor and ensure compliance with the agreed guidelines for religious activities; any place of worship that violates the guidelines will be closed; the guidelines will be reviewed at regular intervals, based on developments, including expert opinions and data from the field.
“In the meantime, Government will continue the engagement, as well as intensify enlightenment and education of the public on the various guidelines to combat the pandemic in the State.”