By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
Following the new wave of COVID- 19 pandemic in the mist of the Eid-El Kabir celebration in the FCT, Minister of FCT, Mallam Mihammed Musa Bello have advised that prayer gatherings should be limited to 50 persons and be held open spaces at both the National and Jum’at Mosques.
In a press release signed by Anthony Ogunlele, Chief Press Secretary of FCTA made available to Daybreak today the decision was reached on Friday by health professionals on ways to curtail the spread of COVID- 19 after a review of the current situation of the pandemic in the territory as it relates to the upcoming Sallah celebrations.
The statement read,
All Eid prayers in the FCT are to be held in the open spaces at Jumaat Mosques as well as the National Eid Ground. This is based on medical advice that it is safer to hold large gatherings in open air spaces than in enclosed structures.
All open Eid grounds should have multiple entry and exit points with hand washing and temperature checking facilities.
The holding capacity of Eid grounds should be reduced to 50% to ensure physical/social distancing.
Imams should ensure that sermons are short so that the entire Eid prayers do not exceed one hour;
All parks and recreational grounds and facilities shall remain closed throughout the festive period, and
Worshippers are enjoined to adhere to all prescribed non-pharmaceutical preventive measures of facial coverings, constant hand washing and physical distancing.
In attendance at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, the Coordinator, WHO FCT Office, Dr Furera Zakari, the Ag Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr Muhammed Kawu, the Chairman, FCT League of Imams Initiative, Dr Tajudeen M.B Adigun ,the Head of Media and Publicity , FCT Enforcement Task Team, Mr Ikharo Attah and other relevant officials of the FCTA.
