Rising tension over coronavirus: Lagos bans congregation in Churches, Mosques of over 50 people

Responding to the increasing fear of the spread of corona virus in Nigeria, the Lagos State Government on Wednesday banned all religious gathering of over 50 people either in churches or mosque in the state.

The decision was said to have been made  on Tuesday after a meeting of the Lagos State Government with religious bodies in the state on the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the country.

The religious bodies were represented at the meeting by  Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Muslim leaders.

Reading a communique after the meeting held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said the groups agreed that all large religious gathering of over 50 people should be suspended immediately.

He said the suspension would last for four weeks, with a necessary review carried out if need be.

Elegushi added that a committee had been set up to monitor the enforcement of the suspension to ensure that both Muslims and Christians in the state abide by the decision.

The 15-member committee comprises representatives of Muslims and Christians in the State.

Elegushi also said the meeting agreed that the state government should embark on massive sensitisation of people at the grassroots on the need to embrace proper hygiene.

He added that the meeting agreed that all health workers in the state should up their games in the battle against Coronavirus.

Elegushi stated that it was agreed that the Federal Government should shut down borders, especially land borders to checkmate the influx of foreigners into Lagos in order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

The commissioner said the state government would immediately embark on massive sensitisation of residents to be more aware of the danger posed by the coronavirus.

Elegushi appealed to Lagosians to desist from handshaking and to always wash their hands with soap and water or make use of sanitisers.

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Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, said the action of the state government was commendable, urging all Muslim leaders to abide by the decision and to also make personal hygiene a priority.

The CAN Chairman, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola on the other hand, said the nation was at a critical point, stressing that since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Christians had been praying.

“We are at a critical moment in Nigeria, since we heard this, we have been praying. We have listened carefully to one another, particularly the government. The responsibility of every government is to protect the lives of the people,” he said.

“We must be proactive and take preventive measures. It is no longer the issue of religion but survival. We are going to accelerate the education of our people. We must listen to the instruction of the government and take the instruction seriously. We agree with the action of the government”.