Ogun State government has set June 19 as the tentative date to lift the ban on religious activities which was imposed on the state to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Great Achiever Magazine reports that the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, disclosed this at his Oke-Mosan office on Friday, while speaking with newsmen on update and efforts to combat COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor said: “After a robust deliberation by the joint meeting of religious leaders and government representatives, and taking into cognizance the baseline guidelines issued by the Presidential Task Force, the following major conclusions were arrived at.
“The religious leaders appreciated the efforts of the Ogun State Government in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the state and are pleased with the outcome as reflected in the high testing capacity, faster turn-around and comparable lower mortality rate.
“The meeting acknowledged that despite the efforts of the government and the commendable outcome, the pandemic is still very much with us as manifested in growing community transmission.
“The gradual relaxation of the lockdown is only because the there is an acknowledgement of a new normal, and there is therefore the need to start planning for the new normal.
“Government appreciates the cooperation of the religious leaders over time in the fight against this common enemy, particularly, their submissions on relaxation of restrictions on religious activities, which are practical, similar and mutually reinforcing.
“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”.
Abiodun stated that 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.
He warned that any place of worship that violates the guidelines will be closed, while the guidelines will be reviewed at regular intervals, based on developments, including expert opinions and data from the field.
Gov Abiodun assured that 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.
He also reminded residents that all the existing guidelines to combat COVID-19 in the State remain in place, adding that all 5 working days in the week (Monday to Friday) are still opened for businesses and other economic transactions with only Saturday and Sunday as lockdown days.
He enjoined residents to observe the dusk-to-dawn curfew as directed by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) i.e. between 10.00pm and 4.00am daily, as well as restrictions on Interstate travel which are still in force.
The governor said wearing of face masks in the public is still mandatory, while only one passenger is still allowed for motorcycles and two passengers only for tricycles.
According to him, “Taxi cabs and buses still have 60% limitation on their carrying capacity and the measure to arrest and impound any driver that contravenes this in our State is in force.
“The COVID-19 Task Force in markets must continue to ensure physical distancing, availability of hand washing facilities and use of gloves in addition to facemasks for traders.
“Fumigation will continue in our markets and other public places, while limitation of all gatherings to a maximum number of 20, is still in effect.
The governor stated that Gyms, event centres, cinemas, arcades, bars, casinos, nightclubs, swimming pools, barber-shops, spas, beauty Salons, and all public parks, including those in private residential estates, are still not allowed to operate.
He also disclosed that restaurants are permitted to provide only take-away services and should also ensure that there are no more than 10-15 customers at a time with physical distancing, as guidelines for eat-in services are still being fine-tuned.
Abiodun reiterated that all industries in Ogun State must continue to comply with the Infection Prevention and Control guidelines for workplaces in Ogun State to combat COVID-19 as issued by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments.
He therefore advised that testing of staff for COVID-19 in all industries in the state must be sustained, saying that the Task Force set up to conduct random spot checks on the premises of the industries, restaurants and other business enterprises to confirm compliance is still in operation.
