NCDC Guidelines: The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control,NCDC,has issued guidelines for the reopening of religious worship centres across the country.Among the guidelines,NCDC is asking children and people aged 60 and above to avoid worship centres for the main time.
NCDC also said public toilets and sales outlets in churches and mosques must be shut during services.
This Information came after the Federal Government lifted the ban on religious and other public gatherings to check the spread of COVID-19 Pandemic Healthforbes Media reporting.
With respect to the guidelines posted on its website, the NCDC said before reopening, religious houses should fumigate their worship environments, car parks and other buildings by wiping all surfaces with a disinfectant
It also said during services, windows and doors must be opened to enable adequate ventilation while adequate provision should be made for soap, running water and hand sanitisers at entry points.
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 Center added that ablution by Muslims should be done at home and discouraged the sharing of kettles and any personal items.
“Religious leaders must maintain two metres when praying or counselling and avoid body contact with members. Places of worship should be free of carpets and rugs to allow easy disinfection of the floor.
“Places of worship must open only between 5am and 8pm. Choristers are to go home with their robes; hijabs are not to be shared; attendance in every service should not exceed one-third of sitting capacity of the auditorium to enable physical distancing. All other members should join the service virtually,”NCDC said.
By Dung Donald Malou