By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
The Edo State government Taskforce on coronavirus (COVID-19) has urged religious leaders to support the government in reducing community transmission by enforcing the state’s coronavirus safety protocols.
After monitoring compliance of the state’s coronavirus safety protocols at worship centres in Benin City, Mr Simeon Idoko, who led the monitoring team, said that worship centres in the state needed to strengthen compliance of the safety protocols and guidelines to check the spread of the pandemic.
His words: “After visiting a number of churches, we observed that most of the churches have intensified measures to comply with the COVID-19 protocols with the deployment of handwashing facilities, use of infrared thermometer and insisting on proper use of facemasks and hand sanitizers.”
He urged worship centres to sustain the measures taken so far, adding, “we are calling on everyone in the state to support the state government’s commitment to check the spread of COVID-19.
He pleaded with religious leaders in churches, mosques and citizens to take responsibility to abide by regulations of government.
Head of Edo State COVID-19 Risk Communication, Mrs. Irene Uabor, said that as part of efforts at enforcing compliance to the COVID-19 protocols, members of the Risk Communication pillar also sensitized worshipers on the proper use of facemasks, social distancing, regular washing of hands, among other protocols.
Among worship centres visited by the State Taskforce include Church of God Mission at Omomo Street off Stadium Road; Miracle Assembly; Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG); Upper Room Parish, First Africa Church at Oza, and Voice of Freedom Ministries along Adesuwa Girls Grammar School Road.
