Religious worship centres across Lagos State would reopen from August 7. Restaurants and specific recreation centres are also expected to reopen from August 14.
In a statement, Sunday, the city’s Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, noted that these public spaces are to adhere to strict Covid-19 preventive regulations.
He instructed that religious centres would only be allowed to operate at 50 per cent of their capacity, emphasising that they obey all specified regulations.
He stressed that worship centres would not be permitted to have other services or fellowships, apart from their singular weekly service. He, however, agreed that they could schedule multiple services on their designated worship days.
Other worship activities such as vigils or crusades remain prohibited till further notice.
He listed the Covid-19 guidelines for churches as: “Persons above 65 were strongly discouraged from attending services and that the ‘No Facemask, No Entry’ policy must be maintained throughout the duration of services.
“Regular cleaning and disinfection of facilities must be carried out to maintain clean and hygienic environments before and after every service. Appropriate screening equipment for COVID-19 symptoms such as a contactless temperature check must be available for entrants into the facility.
“It is mandatory to provide hand-washing facilities and sanitisers at the entry and exit points; national emergency response phone lines must be displayed prominently on the premises and handshakes, hugs and high fives are not permitted at gatherings.”
The Governor also permitted restaurants to operate in-dining services from August 14.
He instructed that they must also maintain 50 percent capacity and obtain a safety compliance certificate through the city’s safety commission.
He added that public gatherings for social events such as meetings, funerals, among others, can hold with a maximum attendance of 50 persons.
Recall that religious worship centres in the state have been shut since March as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Sanwo-Olu analysed that the number of cases had been progressively decreasing over the past two weeks.
He, however, warned that spas, bars, lounges, night clubs, cinemas and gaming arcades remain closed till another review before the end of the month.
‘Secondary Schools To Partially Reopen Aug 3’
On the reopening of schools, the governor said secondary schools would reopen for only graduating classes from August 3 as planned.
He said that all standard precautions must be put in place by school authorities.
“The Lagos State Government will make face masks available to all schools to which this reopening exemption applies, for the duration of the reopening,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mrs Aderonke Odeneye, said the government had intensified the periodic fumigation/decontamination of all public secondary schools in the state.
A statement by the Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Kunle Adeshina, quoted Odeneye as saying that most of the public secondary schools in the six educational districts, including all model colleges, had been reached.
It added, “The fumigation exercise which is ongoing, preparatory to resumption for terminal classes will continue after the West Africa Examination Council exams.”
