Breaking: Ekiti Gov’t Shut Schools, Release New Guideline To Churches, Mosques

The Ekiti State Government has in a bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic released new guidelines to all worship centres in the state.

The Governor Kayode Fayemi administration on Wednesday, December 23 declared that Churches, mosques will only be allowed to hold service once in a week.

Naija News understands that the government’s order follows a fresh spike in the cases of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The state government noted that the service restriction is targeted at safeguarding public health, hence, churches, mosques are only allowed to one service on worship days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Also, all worship centres were ordered to operate half of their sitting capacity in other to curb the second wave of the novel virus in the state.

Governor Fayemi directed all schools in the state to remain closed till January 18 while vigils, partying and clubbing are suspended till further notice. Also, civil servants on Grade Level 12 and below are asked to work from home till January 18 when they would be directed on when to resume back at their desks.

Fayemi insisted again in the statement made available to newsmen that only half of the full sitting capacity of a facility can be allowed to participate in any ceremony/programme at any point and activities should not exceed 8 pm.

“In addition, protocols regarding wedding and burial ceremonies remain in force. There should be no crowd in the church auditorium and burial services must be at the graveside only,” he said.

The statement added: “Supermarkets, event centres, hotels and bar owners are to strictly ensure that social distancing measures are put in place and followed accordingly.

“Only half of the full sitting capacity of a facility can be allowed to participate in any ceremony/programme at any point and activities should not exceed 8.00 pm. Partying, clubbing and vigils are suspended indefinitely until further notice.

“To ensure that things do not snowball out of control, we have given strict instructions to the task force and law enforcement agents to begin aggressive compliance enforcement activities in public places, including worship centres, event centres, markets, supermarkets, bars and hotels.

“Government will not hesitate to close down any facility indefinitely, and to prosecute operators of any public places, flouting the protocols.”