Udom, Wike relax restriction on religious gatherings because of Easter

The Akwa Ibom Government has relaxed its 14 days restriction order in the state to enable Christians to join their counterparts world over to celebrate this year’s Easter.

Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, the Secretary to the State Government, announced the government decision in a statement in Uyo on Thursday.

The Federal Government had declared Friday, April 10, and Monday, April 13, as public holidays for Christians to celebrate Easter.

Ekuwem warned that all religious gathering must not be more 20 worshippers, including the Pastors and Choir group.

He advised that all worshippers must wear face masks, while in the congregation must use hand sanitisers.

He added that the sitting arrangement must observed social distancing and must provide infrared thermometer for worshippers.

“In the spirit of the Easter season, Akwa Ibom State Government has approved guidelines for religious activities on Last Supper Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and  Easter Monday as follows;

“All Religious gatherings must not be more than 20 worshipers, including the Pastors and Choir, per Church; irrespective of the size of the Church.

“Sitting arrangement must be Social Distancing compliant.

“All worshipers must use hand sanitisers at Church entrance and wear face masks while in Church.

“Infrared thermometers should be used at Church entrance doors, any worshiper whose body temperature is above 38 degrees Centigrade should promptly be referred to the nearest healthcare facility.

“Worshippers must endeavour to wash their hands with soap and running water before and after Church Service.”

Ekuwem urged all Akwa Ibom residents to cooperate with the state government to minimise the surge of Coronavirus in the state.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Udom Emmanuel had in a state broadcast announced restriction of movements in the state with effect from April 3 and to last for 14 days to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

Similarly, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, temporarily relaxed the restriction on large religious gatherings to enable Christians carry out their religious obligations during the Easter period.

Wike announced this in a state broadcast also permitting Muslim fateful to observe their Jumaat prayers within the period.

He said: “In the spirit of Easter, therefore, and after a careful review of the state of COVID-19 situation in our State, we have decided to temporarily relax the restriction on large religious gathering.

The governor urged the Christian and Muslim fateful to use the period to pray for forgiveness of sins and exit of the dreaded Coronavirus.

Governor Wike stated that all other restrictions remain.

He stated: “For the avoidance of doubt, the relaxation on mass religious gathering is limited only to the afore-mentioned respective dates.

“All other restrictions, including the closure of markets, night-clubs, cinemas, beer parlours, public burials, weddings, parks as well as the closure of our air, land, and sea routes into the State, shall remain in force until further notice.

“Once again, thank you for your support and cooperation as we work collectively to keep our dear Rivers State safe and secure from Coronavirus and other afflictions.”

“I wish you all a happy Easter celebration, while trusting on your prayers for God to heal our land and see us through,” Wike prayed.

He said the measures implemented by the State Government since March 24, 2020, to check the spread of coronavirus have yielded results.

He said most of the measures were targeted at avoiding maintaining social distancing and ensuring that the State and its citizens are free from COVID-19.

“From all assessments, it is going well with our State and we are grateful to God for His mercies and protection.

“We are also grateful for the strong public support and I just want to say thank you for your kind understanding in the midst of the troubles you are made to endure at these trying times.”

The Rivers State Governor added that all measures have implemented with no harm intended for any group.

He said: “As a government, our conscience is clear and we intended no harm whatsoever to anybody. All the measures we have taken so far, and all that we have done are in the best interest of our State and for the general good of our people.

“We have no other choice but to fight this mass killer virus with all of our might and every weapon and resource at our disposal, less we all perish, for our inactions and indiscretions.

“Let me appeal to you to continue to hold on to our hopes and prayers; as we are at the moment the envy of many other States for the way God has helped us to keep COVID 19 away from our state,” he appealed. (NAN/Daily Sun)