Thursday , March 14 2024

COVID-19 Lockdown: FG Okays Opening of Churches ONLY For Funeral Services

The Federal Government has said that Churches can open during the lockdown only to organize funeral services of not more than 20 persons.

This was  contained on the guidelines released on Wednesday for the implementation of the lockdown policy approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the country.

According to the document released by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 In Abuja on Wednesday, as part of the measures to enforce social distancing and limit the spread of the coronavirus, the Federal Government has decided that schools, organisations and businesses in FCT, Lagos and Ogun states will close effective from 30 March for an initial period of two weeks.

It explained that for the period of the lockdown, every person would be confined to his or her place of residence unless strictly for the purpose of performing an essential service, obtaining an essential good or service, or seeking medical care.

It said all borders linking the two states and FCT to the rest of the country would be shut during the period of the lockdown, except for the transportation of persons on essential duties, food, fuel, manufactured goods or donated relief items.

Other measures are:

Mass gathering is prohibited, except for funeral services as guided by infection prevention and control regulations, for which social distancing rules apply and crowds are limited to not more than 20 persons.

Movement between and within the affected states and FCT is restricted except for workers involved in the delivery of authorised essential services, duties, food and goods.

Retail shops and malls must be closed except where essential goods are sold. Shops and malls that are open must enforce social distancing and hygiene measures in line with issued guidelines.

Any business or organisation providing essential goods and services must identify the staff who will perform those services.

Commuter services between cities and states including passenger rail services, bus services, e-hailing services, maritime and air passenger transport are suspended for the period of the lockdown in the affected states.

Limited transport services are allowed for the movement of workers, services and goods in response to COVID-19 and for the purpose of seeking medical attention or provision of essential services. Transport services available during the lockdown must implement social distancing and hygiene measures. The essential services and businesses that are exempted are:

Private and public hospitals

Dental clinics (emergencies only)

Specialist clinics

Pharmacies and chemist shops

Opticians and ophthalmologists (emergencies only)

Retail: All should ensure social distancing and increased hygiene measures are in place. Food markets to open from 10:00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. daily)

Supermarkets and shops selling food and essential non-food items (groceries)

Shopping malls (only shops selling food and essential groceries shall open)

Food and drink. Food delivery services (no eating-in)

Logistics and transportation. Fuel stations

Registered repair garages

Company car services for essential staff

Post offices

Courier and distribution companies

Private security companies

Trucks carrying essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals and manufactured goods related to the COVID-19 response

Airline ground handling staff and essential aviation staff

Hotels with guests and/or hosting essential staff (no restaurants, bar services or night clubs shall open to the public)

Orphanages and homes

Banks: skeletal services to maintain ATMs, essential online operations and cash services.

Government institutions and public utilities

Electricity distribution and Transmission company

Waterboards

Waste management

Environmental Health Services

Telecommunications

Places of worship ●Small funeral services limited to 20 persons only

Agriculture ●Farms, distributors of food and perishable commodities

Manufacturing ●Manufacturers of food, drugs, pharmaceuticals and essential products related to the response

Aviation ●Cargo and specially approved flights only

Communications ●Telecommunication companies, newspaper, TV, radio and broadcasting companies

  • Workers allied to this sector including newspaper vendors

Internet service providers

Legal and Security ●Public and private security agencies

Criminal justice and correctional services as necessary to maintain law and order

Diplomatic Missions, International development partners and honorary consulates ●Critical diplomatic staff necessary for essential embassy functions including security, consular issues, plant maintenance etc.

With regard to the carriage of passengers:

  1. Ensure adequate spacing in between passengers
  2. Clean and disinfect frequently touched parts e.g. door and window handles/buttons, steering wheels and dashboards.
  3. Encourage passengers to frequently perform hand hygiene.

MARKETS

In order for markets to operate, state and local government authorities as well as leaders of market associations must take full responsibility for strict compliance with the following protocols:

1.Only shops and stalls selling food and groceries shall be allowed to open to customers between 10:00am and 2:00pm every 48 hours or less frequently.

2.All market associations must make provision for hand washing for all sellers and buyers. At entry and exit points of the market, both sellers and buyers must wash or sanitize their hands.

3.Each stall/shop in the market should ensure that their customers queue and are attended to serially while complying with social distancing measures and avoiding overcrowding.

4.All shop owners and staff must arrive and set up at least 30 minutes before the market is open to customers. Each store owner is responsible for cleaning and disinfecting their shops.

5.All markets should strictly comply with social distancing policies. A safe gap should be ensured between shop/stall owners and customers.

(Tribune)

About Chinenye Nwabueze

Nwabueze is a writer with passion for cutting-edge news

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