Churches, mosques in Nigeria to reopen June 2, as FG lifts ban on religious gatherings

Government

Churches and mosques across Nigeria can now begin to make preparations to reopen for worshipers and the Federal Government has lifted ban placed on religious gathering consequent upon the coronavirus pandemic.

Announcing the government’s decision on Monday, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the relaxation of the ban for four weeks.

Mustapha, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19, disclosing this at the briefing of the PTF in Abuja, on Monday, said: “The PTF submitted its recommendations and the President has approved the following for implementation over the next four weeks spanning 2nd – 29th June, 2020, subject to review:

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“Cautious advance into the Second Phase of the national response to COVID-19; application of science and data to guide the targeting of areas of on-going high transmission of COVID-19 in the country;

“Mobilisation of all resources at State and Local Government levels to create public awareness on COVID 19 and improve compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions within communities; sustenance of key non-pharmaceutical interventions that would apply nationwide and include: ban of gatherings of more than 20 people outside of a workplace;

“Relaxation of restriction on places of Worship based on guidelines issued by the PTF and protocols agreed by state governments.”