TheCable

Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, has asked religious centres in the state to reopen from August 14.

In March, the state ordered the closure of worship centres to curb the spread of COVID-19.

But on Wednesday, the governor listed conditions for the reopening of worship centres, saying any religious centre that violate the stipulated regulations, which include the use of face masks and social distancing, will be penalised.

“We urge our religious leaders to ensure that they abide by the measures mutually agreed upon and rolled out,” the governor said in a broadcast in Abeokuta.

“As a government, we will not hesitate to impose severe sanctions, including, but not limited to, lockdown on any worship centre that fails to comply with the laid down guidelines. It is important to note that all religions obey God and the authorities of the land.

“Wearing of face masks in the public is now compulsory. Therefore, I hereby invoke powers conferred on me by Regulation 7 of the Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations No. 2 of 2020 (the Regulations), made pursuant to Section 33 of the Public Health Law of Ogun State (the Law), to mandate the compulsory wearing of face masks by all persons in public as part of measures to prevent the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

“Failure to do so is punishable by up to six months imprisonment under Regulation 8 of the Regulations and Section 68 of the Law.”

Ogun state has recorded a total number of 1,326 COVID-19 cases so far.