Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has announced that the government has lifted the ban on churches and mosques.
The governor also directed all civil servants in the state to resume work from Monday, June 8, 2020.
Ortom who announced a review of the COVID-19 measures in line with the Presidential Task Force on the pandemic on Wednesday said that churches and mosques are to hold staggered worship sessions.
The governor explained that a Church or Mosque which before now held two worship sessions should henceforth conduct four or more sessions in a day to ensuring physical distancing.
He said, “Each worship session must not last more than one hour.
“Churches and Mosques should endeavour to provide water, soap, and alcohol-based hand sanitizers for worshippers, and should insist on wearing of face masks.
“Workers are advised to always wear face masks and maintain physical distancing as they go to work.
Governor Ortom further said that markets are to be opened but subject to physical distancing protocol on COVID-19.
“Public gatherings are permitted with a maximum of 30 persons who must comply with the protocol of COVID-19.
“Inter-state movement remains banned, except those on essential services, adding, “schools are to remain closed till further notice.
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“The prevailing curfew in the State has been reviewed to now last between the hours of 10 pm to 4 am daily, until further notice,” Ortom said.
Meanwhile, the State chairman of COVID-19 taskforce and Deputy Governor of the state, Benson Abounu, said that 16 people were arrested early hours of Wednesday for flouting the interstate movement.
