As the Presidential Task Force, PTF, on COVID-19, reviews restriction measures, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on Saturday issued new guidelines for places of worship across the country, warning against any form of direct contact.
In the new guidelines signed by the Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, practices such as handshakes as peace signs are discouraged.
According to the Agency, “practices that require sharing of materials should be limited. For example, ablution should be performed at home.”
The NCDC guidelines also demanded that religious centres be disinfected routinely, before and after worship.
It states that “there should be no entry without face masks. All attendees and religious leaders must wear a face mask. People who are sick should not go to places of worship. There should be temperature screening on entry.
“Hand washing facilities and hand sanitisers should be provided at the point of entries and strategic points, and attendance at religious settings should not exceed 1/3 of sitting capacity.”
They also demanded that religious centres be clearly marked such that people sit and maintain a two-metres distance from each other.
The NCDC guidelines also provide additional requirements to ensure that places of worship are safe.
According to Ihekweazu, other guidelines for worship places can be downloaded via NCDC website in order to reduce the risk of infection in places of worship.
