As part of efforts to check the spread of COVID-19, the federal government has released an updated version of guidelines for reopening of places of worship.
The updated guidelines which were released by the presidential task force on COVID-19 contains a list of safeguards that Churches and Mosques should adhere to.
The federal ministry of information said the guidelines were needed to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
The 16 COVID-19 preventive guidelines for churches include that worshippers should attend churches only on Sundays, open churches from 5am to 8pm, hold multiple services with maximum of one hour per session, as well as sanitise all worship areas including doors, switches, and microphones.
Other guidelines for churches are provide hand washing facilities and temperature checks.
are mandatory use of face masks by all, display non-contact greetings signs, provide offering boxes at all entry points, and rovide floor markings for physical distancing.
Moreover, no sharing of bibles, hymns and no use of holy water fonts, no social gathering before and after services, ensure controlled use of restrooms, close businesses within church premises, home worship for the elderly and the people with underlying health conditions, ensure good ventilation, and lastly, children areas should remain closed.
Similarly, the 16 COVID-19 preventive guidelines for mosques are only the five daily prayers and Friday prayers are allowed for public worship, hold Friday prayers and sermons for a maximum of one hour, sanitise all worship areas including taps, doorknobs, light switches, mandatory use of face masks by all, as well as provide hand washing facilities and temperature checks.
Others are display non-contact greetings signs, provide sadaqah boxes at every entry point, provide running water in prayer and ablution areas, provide floor markings for physical distancing, no sharing of Quaran, praying mats and kettles, and no social gathering before and after service.
They should also ensure controlled use of restrooms, close businesses within mosques premises, home worship for the elderly and the people with underlying health conditions, ensure good ventilation as well as close Islamiyya schools.
