Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State government has granted a partial restoration of religious activities in the state.
The government also relaxed the ban on burials by giving those in the state between April 9 and 20, 2020 to bury their dead loved ones.
Commissioner for Information and State Orientation and Ag Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Barrister Uchenna Orji disclosed this after the Executive Council meeting in Abakaliki.
The Commissioner said worshippers are expected to attend their normal service only on Sunday for Christians and Friday for Muslims with effect from April 12, 2020.
The service is also expected to start from 8am and end by 12noon. While every worshipper shall wear a face mask and observe social distancing.
Orji stated: “With effect from Sunday 12th April, 2020, all religious worshippers shall be allowed to have their normal service every Sunday for Christians and Friday for Muslims, from 8am to 12 noon only, provided that:
“Every Worshipper must wear a face mask, including Handkerchief or Head tie.
“The service Centre must be provided with Hand Sanitizers and Running water for washing of hands.
“There shall be no religious gatherings other than on Sundays
The state government warmed that Pastor or officiating Ministers that fails to enforce these precautionary measures or violates these regulations shall be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with Ebonyi State Coronavirus and Other Dangerous (Infectious) Diseases and Related Matters Law No 06, 2020.
“Churches are also encouraged to provide palliatives to their worshippers”, the government said
Mr Orji said that before any burial should take place that the government should be notified through his office.
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He, however, noted that only the family members of the deceased who shall not exceed the stipulated 20 persons shall attend.
“Burial of loved ones shall be allowed to hold between 9th April, and 20th April, 2020 provided that:
“The State Government, through the office of the Honourable Commissioner for Information and State Orientation must be notified in writing.
“Organizers must ensure the provision of hand sanitizers, face masks, and running water for washing of hands and other precautionary measures.
“Government shall send representatives to such burials to ensure that the precautionary measures are complied with”, he said
The commissioner also disclosed that during the exco meeting palliatives to cushion the effect of the hardship occasioned by the scourge of Coronavirus pandemic, were deliberated on.
He said the governor approved the release of N1bn for the procurement of 400,000 bags of 5kg rice and other food stuffs, and the production of 400,000 face masks as a take-off palliative measure for the vulnerable groups in the State.
“The Governor during the meeting also directed the immediate disbursement of the sum of Two Billion Naira (N2, 000,000,000.00) to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) facility for the empowerment of the youths and women in Entrepreneurship and vocational programmes,” he added.
According to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control NCDC Nigeria has 276 confirmed cases as at April 8.
44 of the patients have been discharged while six deaths have been recorded.
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