COVID-19 lockdown suspended indefinitely in Borno ,mosques, churches to reopen

Borno state government has suspended its lockdown directive indefinitely.

The state government also relaxed the ban on religious gatherings but called for strict guidelines on maintaining physical distancing in mosques and churches but the ban on Eid prayers are still in force.

Deputy governor and chairman of the state COVID-19 response committee, Umar Kadafur, who made this known in a statement said the measures taken to limit the spread of the coronavirus yielded positive results, noting that the state has recorded “significant progress” in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deputy governor, however, noted that if the COVID-19 situation escalates, the government would revert to “status quo”.

“Henceforth, Jumma’at prayers and five daily prayers shall be observed in all mosques as recommended by the Borno State Council of Ulamas in strict adherence with social distancing and 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 recommendation 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 at home during the period.”

The government also placed restrictions on public gatherings, especially funeral processions, weddings, naming ceremonies, among others, which it limited to not more than 20 people.