The Lagos State Government, on Wednesday, banned all religious gathering with over 50 people within the State.
The decision was arrived at after a meeting of the Lagos State Government with religious bodies in the State.
The religious bodies include the Christian Association of Nigeria and Muslim leaders.
Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs Olanrewaju Elegushi told reporters after a meeting with religious leaders that the suspension of large gatherings had taken effect.
He said: “We met with religious leaders, both Christians and Muslims. We discussed, argued and realised that the lives of Lagosians are important to us. We prefer to offend people than to kill our people.
“Let me assure you that the state government is not insensitive to the Lenten period and various religious activities going on. We are concerned because it is only the living that can worship God.
“Having discussed extensively, the heads of religious bodies agreed that the government should embark on massive education on the virus at the grassroots.
“In view of this, we have decided to suspend all religious activities above 50 people and the enforcement starts with immediate effect.
“While the Constitution allows for freedom of association and worship, we are of the opinion that we should exercise our rights with extreme caution so as to avoid contacting and spreading of this disease.
“We hereby appeal to you to please pay close attention to people coming into our places of worship, anyone found showing symptoms of this disease should immediate be isolated and reported to the appropriate authorities.
“We should put in place measures that will ensure cleanliness of our environment bearing in mind that, cleanliness is next to Godliness.
“Aside our normal ablutions, our worshippers should be encouraged to make use of hand sanitizers, avoid bodily contacts as much as possible and ensure safety measures in and around their places of abode.”
He added that a committee comprising top religious leaders had been set up to ensure compliance with the directive.
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[…] To curb its spread, most states and the FCT have banned gatherings of more than 50 persons. […]