COVID-19: Bauchi lifts ban on religious gatherings
- The Bauchi government has relaxed the ban on religious gatherings in the state
- The state governor, Bala Mohammed, made the announcement on Wednesday, May 20
- Mohammed said the lifting of the ban would last for two weeks before it is reviewed
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The ban on religious gatherings which was imposed in Bauchi state in April to contain the spread of COVID-19 has been lifted by the state government.
The state governor, Bala Mohammed, announced the lifting of the ban in a statement on Wednesday, May 20, The Nation reports.
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He, however, disclosed that the lifting of the ban on religious gathering was for two weeks.
The governor disclosed that the ban was lifted after considering a recent declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) that COVID-19 may not go soon.
He also pointed out that other states in the northeast have lifted their ban.
Mohammed noted that the two weeks reprieve was tied with certain conditions such as the compulsory use of face, provision of hand sanitiser and running water as well as observing physical distancing at the worship centres.
He said the expiration of the two weeks, the state government would review the level of compliance with the ban.
Meanwhile, the Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje on Monday, May 18, permitted Friday and eid-el-fitr prayers to hold across the state.
The special adviser on media to the governor, Salihu Tanko, disclosed in a statement that the governor arrived at the decision based on the recommendations of 30 Islamic scholars in the state, Daily Trust reports.
He disclosed that the recommendation by the Islamic scholars was given at a meeting with government officials in the state.
Yakasai stated that Imams have been mandated to enforce physical distancing rules in mosques. He said worshippers will be instructed to wear face masks, as well as use sanitizers and adhere to the washing of hands.
In another report, David Lah, a popular Canadian pastor, who claimed Christian believers are immune to coronavirus, has been dragged to court for violating a ban on religious gatherings after contracting the virus.
Facing a maximum of three-year jail under the disaster law management, Lah and another Myanmar national Wai Tun reportedly held a church service in early April with about twenty people who later turned out positive to Covid-19.
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His action was said to be distinctly rebellious against restrictions on gathering imposed by the Myanmar government due to coronavirus epidemic, Reuters reports.
Lah, in a sermon posted online in March 2020, had told his followers not to be afraid of the virus because they are covered by Jesus.
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