COVID-19 Lockdown: Okowa Relaxes Ban On Religious Worship

By Daniel Dafe

The ban on religious worship in Delta State has been relaxed by the Okowa-led administration.

It will be recalled that the State Government ordered a lockdown as a measure to curb the spread of the Coronavirus disease in the state.

According to a press statement signed by Rev. Madukwe, Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Delta State, the ban on worship services in churches has been relaxed,” adding that this was part of decisions reached at the meeting between the government of Delta State and religious leaders held today, April 30, 2020, at the Government House in Asaba.

Furthermore, Madukwe in his statement said that the state government permitted 20 worshippers for 100 man capacity hall; 50 worshippers for 200 Capacity hall and 100 worshippers for a 500 and above capacity hall.

Also, he said that services were permitted to hold twice a week (Sunday and Wednesday) for a maximum of two hours, against the three week services held by many churches.
Other guidelines for church meetings include compulsory use of facemasks, hand washing, use of sanitizers and social distance of 6 feet between seats and no handshakes and hugging.

Meanwhile, an official statement from the government is yet to be released, as an aide to the Governor under conditions of anonymity said that they were preparing a press statement on the decisions reached at the meeting.