Home News Churches Shut down Services as Lagos State Set New Regulations

Churches Shut down Services as Lagos State Set New Regulations

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lagos and churches on corona virus

As a way of controlling the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Lagos State Government on Wednesday had released a public notice that all religious gathering above 50 persons in the state for the next four weeks should be suspended starting from the 18th of March 2020.

According to a report from the Guardian, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, announced this to newsmen in Ikeja after a closed-door meeting with religious leaders in the state on the issue of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Prince Elegushi said that the decision was taken in the interest of Lagosians and necessary toward curbing the spread of the ravaging coronavirus.

He was quoted to have said “We met with religious leaders both Christians and Muslims. We discussed, argued and realized that the lives of Lagosians is important to us. We prefer to offend people than to kill our people.

“Let me assure you that the state government is not insensitive to the Lenten period and various religious activities going on. We are concerned because it is only the living that can worship God.

“Having discussed extensively, the heads of religious bodies agreed government should embark on massive education of the virus at the grassroots level.

After much discussion, the Commissioner made it known that;  “In view of this, we have decided to suspend all religious activities above 50 people and the enforcement starts with immediate effect,”

In agreement with the commissioner, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Lagos stated, Apostle Alexander Bamgbala noted that the resolution is a welcome development since the lives of the people is at stake here.

Following these directives, Church like The Redeemed Christian Church of God had issue a memo stating that no Parish should have in attendance more than 50 persons, and that if they have more members, the services can be splitted into parts.

The Members of the RCCG are encouraged to stay are home and watch the Ministration of the G.O through the Dove TV, the official Cable TV of the RCCG.

The House on the Rock, a ministry headed by Pastor Paul Adefarasin had also issued a statement on the as well, in his newsletter he stated;

“Consequently, House On The Rock is suspending all gatherings including Church services, classes, meetings and other programmes scheduled to take place at The Rock Cathedral, Lekki and The Rock Chapel, Ikeja Lagos, until further notice.”

Pastor Adefarasin further encouraged members to join in during the Online Streaming service, he statement;

“Even though we will not be meeting physically, our Church services will hold exclusively online and can be viewed on all our digital platforms beginning this Sunday, 22nd March, 2020 at 9:00am WAT (West Africa Time). Services will be streamed on Facebook Live (@houseontherock), YouTube (HOTRLagos) and on our website – houseontherock.org.ng”

These measures had immediately taken effect as lots of Churches and Ministries are making use  of the Online Streaming services now during the global health crisis possed by the Coronavirus.