Ebonyi state government lifts ban on religious gatherings

Ebonyi state governor, Dave Umahi, has lifted the ban on all religious gatherings in the state.

The ban was initially placed as part of measures to curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus in the state.

A statement released by the state's Commissioner for Information, Uchenna Orji today May 15, says the governor's decision to lift the ban was based on a passionate appeal by the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN and some other religious bodies in the state.

The governor warned that all churches should observe their worship services only on Sundays between the hours of 9am to 11am while Muslims should also worship on Fridays between the hours of 9am and 11am.

He instructed that no religious center should have more than 500 worshippers at a time and that they must observe a minimum of 2 meters of physical distancing from one another.

Part of the statement reads

That Seventh Day Adventist and Muslim faithful are to observe their service on Saturdays and Fridays respectively from 9 am – 11 am. No Religious Centre shall permit more than 500 people and worshipers shall observe a minimum of 2 meters social distancing from one another.

Wearing of facemasks, washing of hands with running water and use of hand sanitizers must be strictly observed in all religious centres. No religious service is allowed to hold any other day other than the days specified herein and which must be in strict observance of all COVID-19 Laws and regulations.

Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN) has a duty to close down any religious gathering and arrest the principal of the worship centre that violates this order.” 

Ebonyi state currently has 9 confirmed cases of Coronavirus.