The Lagos State Government on Tuesday announced the suspension of the earlier scheduled opening of churches and mosques in the state.
This was announced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, at a televised press briefing.
It would be recalled that on June 4th, Governor Sanwo-Olu approved the reopening of religious gatherings for June 19th.
He said mosques are to reopen from June 19 while churches are to begin services from June 21, with crowd not more 40% of their original capacity.
However, the permission has now been revoked due to rising cases of coronavirus in Lagos state.
As at Monday, Lagos recorded 7,319 confirmed cases, with 1,137 recoveries and 82 casualties.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force on Monday announced that it has relaxed the curfew imposed on the state following the advent of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic.
The Task Force, which made the decision public after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting presided by its chairman, Governor Seyi Makinde, added that the curfew would now run from 10pm to 4am.
Other decisions reached at the meeting includes the resumption of classes for Primary Six, JSS3 and SS3 students from Monday, June 29; resumption of work by all category of workers at the state secretariat from June 22; opening up of mosques and churches, which are to operate at 25 per cent capacity; and the decision to limit public gathering to not more than 25 persons.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the state secretariat, which was earlier shut on March 27 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and later reopened to staff on grade level 13 and above from Monday April 27, would now be open to all other staffers from Monday, June 22.
According to the statement, students in critical classes are to resume at the end of June to ensure they are well-prepared for the public examinations ahead of them.
“The schools are to observe the COVID-19 protocols as released by the Task Force, ensure that stations for washing of hands are provided in all schools, while all students are to compulsorily wear face masks.
“Schools are to provide hand wash points with the support of their Parents/Teachers Associations (PTA).
“The resumption of critical classes at the end of June 2020, would be two clear weeks ahead of the state’s drop-dead date of July 15. By that date, it would be decided whether other categories of students will return to the classes.”
“Mosques and Churches are to reopen and operate at not more than 25 per cent capacity. The situation will be reviewed within the first two weeks. All worshippers are to compulsorily wear face masks.