The Lagos State Government has announced that churches and mosques in the state will not be reopened for worshippers.
Prince Anofiu Elegushi, the State Commissioner for Home Affairs, said this during the 2020 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the first year in office of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Monday, lifted the ban on mosques and churches in the country.
However, Elegushi said the state will not reopen worship centers because the state was the epicenter of the deadly COVID-19.
According to him, before the pronouncement by the Federal Government, the possibility of reopening religious centers was ruled out in a meeting with religious leaders in the State.
He said the leaders of both faiths claimed they cannot assure that only 20 to 50 people pray behind them.
”Like an Imam said, he doesn’t know what is going on at the back immediately he is leading a prayer. He said if more than 20 or 50 people are staying at his back he is not going to take responsibility for their presence.
”So, in the meeting, we ruled out in totality the issue of reopening the religious houses until we have a clear coast for us to do so.
”We all know Lagos is still having more figures. So definitely that will speak to our decision,” NAN quoted him as saying.
He added that the governor of the state would come out with further directives on the matter.