COVID-19: Abuja bans religious, social gatherings of over 50 persons

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has banned all religious or social gathering of over 50 persons over fears of the possible spread of coronavirus also known as COVID-19.

This was revealed in a statement on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Media and Strategic Communications, Malam Abubakar Sani, who said the decision was reached after a meeting of the FCT administration and religious leaders.

Speaking further, Sani added that the order to ban religious, social gatherings also applies to social gatherings at event centers, football viewing centers and night clubs, among others for the time being.

He said; “Based on the advice and guidance of public health authorities, the Presidential Task Force for the Control of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19), as well as the outcomes of the National Economic Council meeting, held on Thursday, 19th of March 2020, the FCT Administration held a meeting with religious leaders across the Territory and reached the following decisions;

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“Religious leaders and worshippers are enjoined to follow all laid down health protocols as stipulated by the relevant health authorities for the control of the Coronavirus disease while intensifying prayers for the safety of all Nigerians;

“Congregations at places of worship are hereby restricted to a maximum of 50 persons at any given time;

“This measure also applies to social gatherings at event centers, football viewing centers and night clubs, amongst others;

“The essence of this restriction is to make the tracking of suspected cases, if any, easier for the health authorities;

“Residents are also enjoined not to engage in panic buying and always seek for information about the disease from the FCT Public Health Department and other agencies of government

“FCT Administration calls for the understanding and cooperation of all residents of the FCT,” Sani added.

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