COVID-19; Kwara State Government tells Muslim Women to stay at home as they reopen worship centers. The Government of Kwara state has given conditions to reopen worship centres from Friday, June 5.
The Deputy Governor, and Chairman of the Technical Committee on COVID-19,Mr Kayode Alabi, while briefing newsmen in Ilorin on Wednesday, said worship centers will reopen if they satisfy certain criteria already agreed with various religious bodies in the State.
One of the conditions is that Muslim women are not to return to the mosques till further notice.
This was disclosed during the meeting held by the Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19 with the leaders of the Muslim and Christian communities, including the Jama’atu Nasrul Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“We are definitely not out of the woods as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, especially because of violation of travel restrictions.
“The meeting with religious leaders centered around whether or not to reopen the worship centres across the state, as suggested by the Federal Government.
”However, in line with the presidential advisory and the positions of our religious umbrella bodies in the state, worship centres may reopen from June 5, provided they satisfy the following conditions:
“Worship centres shall be organised by the respective head of the congregation in such a way that one attendant is at least one metre away from the next.”
”Each worship centre shall make provisions for hand washing or hand sanitiser and infrared thermometer
”Wearing of face masks shall be mandatory for all worshippers, no hand shaking or hugging among worshippers,” he said.
The government said if worship centers reopen, children and people above 65 or persons with underlying health conditions should stay away.
The government added that “Wuḍū” which is a procedure for cleansing part of the body in mosque will not be made available for now as Muslims are urged to perform that at home.
”Muslim women should stay away from mosques, as suggested by the leadership of the Muslim community in the state.
“Each worship centre must dedicate a few minutes before service or prayers to educate attendants about COVID-19 and its dangers,” the deputy governor added.
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