Covid-19: Edo To Effect Social Distancing In Churches

By GWG Staff

The Edo State Government has taken serious steps to ward off the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state, with the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, holding extended meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders and grassroots politicians at the weekend to harmonise strategies aimed at safeguarding the public.

The governor said Edo State was adopting the strategy of consulting the leaders because of their strong connection with the grassroots and people across all spectra of the society as well as their effectiveness in passing information and eliciting effective action to stem falsehood and panic among the people.

He said some of the actions taken include extensive consultation with traditional, religious and political leaders for intensified sensitization; setting up of isolation centres across the three senatorial districts of the state and updating of health workers’ training to deal with the peculiarities of COVID-19.

Others are the reactivation of the state’s contact tracing mechanism earlier used to contain other infectious diseases such as Lassa Fever, and a strong emphasis on rigorous screening at ports of entry into the state.

Members of the Edo State Traditional Council were led to the Government House by his Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. Others are Vice Chairman of the Council and Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh and the 2nd Vice Chairman of the council and Enogie of Opoji, His Royal Highness Aidenojie Ehidiamen.

Present at the meeting with religious leaders were Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State Chapter, Oriname Oyenude; President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Felix Omobude; ECWA/TEKAN Chairman, Rev. Lucky Osagbokhoe; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, Augustine Akubeze; Chief Imam of the Benin Central Mosque, Alhaji Fatai Enabulele, and Chairman OAIC, Apostle General Irekpono Omoike, among others.

“Moreover, our preparations for the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF) gave the state a head start in preparation for management of public health emergencies, as necessary equipment and gadgets are in place to address any suspected case of the COVID-19.”

He noted, however, that citizens and residents should avoid large gatherings and that if it becomes necessary to shut down worship centres, the decision would be made in the interest of public safety.

“As part of the meetings with religious leaders in the state, we have partnered with relevant health agencies, including WHO, Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and the State Ministry of Health, to train church workers on how to manage large crowds, conduct screenings and temperature tests, among other necessary measures. Teams would be sent to church premises and other worship places to ensure social distancing is observed,” he added.

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