Borno State Suspends Lockdown Indefinitely, Asks Worship Centers To Re-Open

The lockdown declared in Borno state has been suspended indefinitely.

The government has also relaxed the ban on religious gatherings, but involved strict guidelines on maintaining physical distancing in mosques and churches.

Meanwhile, the ban on Eid prayers are still effective .

Umar Kadafur, deputy governor and chairman of the state COVID-19 response committee, made this known during a statement.

According to him, the “stringent measures” taken to limit the spread of the coronavirus “yielded the specified results”, because the state had recorded “significant progress” within the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

He, however, noted that if the COVID-19 situation escalates, the govt would revert to “status quo”.

“Henceforth, Jumma’at prayers and five daily prayers shall be observed altogether mosques as recommended by the Borno State Council of Ulamas in strict adherence with social distancing and therefore the use of face masks,” the statement read.

“All churches shall conduct church services as recommended by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Borno Chapter in strict adherence with social distancing and use of face masks.

“Government has considered the advice of the Borno State Council of Ulamas which clearly states that Eid prayers is Sunnah (non obligatory), hence there should be no Eid prayers. Faithfuls should remain reception during the amount .”

The government also placed restrictions on public gatherings, especially funeral processions, weddings, naming ceremonies, among others, which it limited to less than 20 people.