The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has directed churches and mosques to ensure that their toilets are shut to members as part of the guidelines for religion center reopening across the country.
Also part of the guideline is that children and elderly people aged 60 and above to stay back at home.
Disclosing the guidelines for the reopening of places of worship on its website, the NCDC urged churches and mosques to fumigate their halls, car parks and wipe all surfaces with disinfecting agents.
According to the NCDC, provision must be made for running water, soap and hand sanitizer at points of entry.
The NCDC said,
“There should be no entry without face masks; provide disposable face masks where practicable. To help educate on COVID-19, it is recommended for places of worship to have preventive messages from NCDC posted at entry points and around places of worship.
“Holy communion should be packaged in disposable wraps. Drinking water points, public toilets and sales outlets must be closed for now.”
The NCDC also directed Muslims to perform their ablution at home as sharing of kettles should be discouraged.
It said, “Religious leaders must maintain two meters when praying or counselling and avoid body contact with members. Places of worship must open only between 5am and 8pm. Choristers are to go home with their robes; hijabs are not to be shared.”
