Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the re-opening of places of worship in the State, starting from August 7 for mosques and August 9 for churches.
The Governor also directed the re-opening of social clubs with registered trustees and recreational centres from August 14, but with the condition that they obtain a provisional safety compliance certificate from the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC).
The Governor announced this at the 17th briefing on COVID-19 response held at the State House in Marina on Saturday, He said the decision to ease lockdown in the State followed the decline in the number of confirmed COVID19 cases for two weeks.
Sanwo-Olu also relaxed the public gathering regulation, increasing the permissible capacity from 20 to 50 persons at a given period. Night clubs, entertainment centres and cinemas to remain closed, the Governor ordered.
The Governor also announced the resumption of in-dinning services in restaurants across the state from August 14, but at 50 per cent occupancy capacity.
While noting that worship centres must adhere to facemask guidelines,he noted that only regular services are permitted in places of worship adding that Vigils and other non-regular events remain prohibited until further notice.
Governor Sanwo-Olu however discouraged attendees of over the age of 65 years from attending worship centres.
The Governor said the new development followed a careful review of emerging positive events, stressing the decisions to relax the lockdown measures was to create a balance between competing demands of safeguarding lives of the residents and preserving their means of livelihoods.
He however insisted that all mandatory prevention and control measures issued by the State Government must be strictly adhered to, including physical distancing, mandatory temperature checks and use of masks in public places, regular disinfection of premises, and strong personal hygiene.
“Worship centres and social clubs that re-open without complying with the mandatory hygienic protocols and physical distancing requirements will be shut down and face the wrath of the law”, the Governor warned.
