COVID-19: Buhari govt issues new protocols for Churches, Mosques, releases 12 guidelines

As Nigeria continues to battle the second wave of the dreaded coronavirus, federal authorities in the country are trying to reduce the possibility of mass infections.

The federal ministry of health has released new protocols for religious centres to adhere to. The Buhari-led administration has issued new protocols for Churches and Mosques on COVID-19.

The protocols include 12 updated guidelines for religious gatherings to follow to minimise the spread of coronavirus.

1. Ensure temperature checks at points of entry, persons with temperature over 37.50C should be asked to leave and seek medical attention.

2. Have handwashing facilities in front of places of worship. For Muslims, encourage them to perform ablution at home.

3. Clearly separate and mark areas in place of worship, to ensure 2 metres distance between people.

4. Ensure separate entry and exit points in places for worship and overcrowding at entry and exit points.

5. Offer alcohol-based hand sanitisers as they enter the place of worship

6. Inform worshippers to keep a 2 metres distance from the nearest worshipper

7. Ensure adequate ventilation in halls of worship, open windows, and doors for air to circulate in and out freely most especially when using air conditioners

8. To abide by NCDC guidelines on mass gathering, places of worship may have to hold several worship and prayer sessions in a day with a limited number of participants in each service according to available space.

9. As much as possible, virtual meetings, preaching and visits are encouraged in place of physical ones.

10. Encourage congregating in open spaces

11. Establish a regular sanitising or cleaning routine, surfaces frequently touched must be cleaned at intervals during worship

12. Always and ensure and enforce the use of facemasks. Notices on the use of facemask must be placed at entry points and within premises of places of worship.

In a related development, following the announcement for the resumption of academic activities for all public and private schools across the country, the federal ministry of education has updated the COVID-19 guidelines for schools. As part of the new guidelines, the federal government has suspended assembly and visiting days in all the schools. Similarly, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Friday, January 15, announced that it has shifted the date for the reopening of camps across Nigeria.