By Udo Akam-Alo, ABAKALIKI
Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, has approved lifting of ban om Church activities in the state.
This is contained in a statement released to the public by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, and Acting Commissioner, Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji.
He said the lifting of ban came as a result of the passionate appeal made by the Christian community which must be based on strict adherence to the COVID-19 laws.
The statement reads: “Governor of Ebonyi state, His Excellency Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE has directed me to inform the general public that in response to the passionate appeal of Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), Ebonyi state chapter and some of our revered Bishops that Religious Centres be reopened for worship under strict observation of COVID-19 policy and state law and having prayerfully reviewed the request and in consultation with state leaders, he hereby directs that religious centres in the state do re-open for worship only once a week effective from 15th May, 2020 under the following conditions:
1) All Churches are to observe their service only on Sundays from 9am to 11 am.
2) Seventh Day Adventist and Muslim faithfuls are to observe their service on Saturdays and Fridays respectively from 9 am – 11 am.
3) No Religious Centre shall permit more than 500 people and worshipers shall observe a minimum of 2 meters social distancing from one another.
4) Wearing of facemasks, washing of hands with running water and use of hand sanitizers must be strictly observed in all religious centres.
5) No religious service is allowed to hold any other day other than the days specified herein and which must be in strict observance of all COVID-19 Laws and regulations
6) Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) has a duty to close down any religious gathering and arrest the principal of the worship centre that violates this order
7) The Governor requests all Religious bodies in the state to use this opportunity of window of worship to create awareness among their members on the protocols, policies, laws and regulations regarding COVID-19 and to pray for our dear State and Nigeria.
8) They are also enjoined to use the opportunity to advise their members to aggressively participate in agriculture and other lawful means of livelihood.
9) CAN leadership and Anti- COVID-19 Committee on Religious Centres are requested to please mount strict monitoring of all religious centres in the state and ensure strict compliance and discipline among them.”
