COVID-19: How worshippers are coping with ‘new normal’ in Lagos

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented changes in Nigeria and the world at large, causing huge shifts in the way of life being introduced as part of the fight against the virus. Four months after the closure of places of worship as a result of the COVID-19, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of […]

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented changes in Nigeria and the world at large, causing huge shifts in the way of life being introduced as part of the fight against the virus.

Four months after the closure of places of worship as a result of the COVID-19, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State announced the reopening of worship centres in the state at 50percent capacity beginning from August 7, 2020, following a downward curve in active cases recorded in the state over time.

Even though, churches and mosques were allowed to open, the re-opening order came with caveats as prayers in both churches and mosques must be held in well-ventilated halls with physical distancing order enforced. People above 65years are not allowed to attend while hand washing, use of sanitizer, checking of temperature with infrared thermometer as well as use of face mask were made compulsory for those who must attend services.

Similarly, only regular services such as Juma’at prayer and Sunday service are permitted for Muslims and Christians respectively while night vigils and other non-regular programmes remain prohibited until further notice. Of great importance were also the warning against handshakes, hugs and ‘high fives’ at services or gatherings.

All of these protocols and more are the ‘new normal’ that worshippers have to cope with if they must attend services.

In line with the directive of the state government, many mosques and churches have opened to worshippers while some are yet to until they observe and properly appraise the post-lockdown indices.

A worshipper at the Federal site and services community mosque, Isheri Olofun in Lagos, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi said that less than the 50percent capacity were present at the last Friday prayer.

He noted that the elderly people were absent while majority wore their nose masks. He also noted that hand washing basin with water, soap and sanitizer were made available at the mosque. “It was really a moment of refreshing, visiting the mosque after four months closure,” he said.

Mrs. Juliana Oyewale, a worshipper at Christ Apostolic Church, Agege said first service after four months of closure was an exciting one, saying the expression of joy was obvious on the faces of those present. According to her, the church held two services on Sunday with 40 worshippers per service which lasted for about an hour each.

She also said that the ‘No face mask, no entry’ policy was enforced as everyone including adults and youth wore their nose masks, washed their hands with soap, water and sanitizer before they were allowed into the church. “Though it was not easy singing praise and dancing with face masks as the people were adjusting their masks intermittently to receive some air. At the end of the service, no group meeting, discussions or greetings were allowed,” she said.

Also, Edith Efiok-Offiong of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ikate Lawanson at Surulere narrated that her church observed all the guidelines required by government and also distributed free nose masks and hand sanitizer to the congregation.

She said, “The social distancing guideline was enforced as only 30 people attended service. Every worshipper’s details were collected after screening before entry into the church. Children and persons above 60 came in did not attend the service while those with 37.5o body temperature were asked to sit outside for re-examination. There were four hand washing points with soap and sanitizer with a church official on point as the service lasted for over an hour.”

Akwuobi Uchechukwu of St. Brigide Catholic church Ijeshatedo, Surulere said in her own church, only 50 worshippers were allowed per service as each was allocated a seat number before entering the church. She said that shaking of hands was not allowed, while the elderly, nursing mothers, children and pregnant women did not attend service in the church.

“The mass was very brief and everybody left the church premises immediately after the short mass of one hour. But I am a bit confused about the regulations on churches considering what I see in the market places, where nobody observes anything. It is the same people who go to the market that goes to church. So, if churches abide to the government rules, what happens in the market where there is no social distancing and most people don’t wear face mask?” she queried.

An Imam at a mosque in Ejigbo, Imam Abdulsemiu Oyebo told our Correspondent that some mosques in Ejigbo are upholding the directive while a few imams are ignoring the government’s directives.

He cited an example with Ibukunoluwa Central Mosque at 38, Edagbeja street which shuts its gate once the number of worshippers clocks 50. “Inside the spacious mosque, only four people sat in each row while they keep their distance,” he said.

He also made known that Ansarudeen mosque at Ejigbo and the Ejigbo LCDA mosque did not commence Juma’ah as all requirements were not met.

“Ejigbo central mosque where the chief imam is a lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU) did not observe any distancing as the mosque was full to capacity but other things were put in place. The leadership of Daleko central mosque in Ejigbo also violated all rules laid by the government as the imam dares anybody,” he said.

Another resident who identifies himself as Nurudeen Alowonle said at the Ojota central mosque where he prayed on Friday, there was no distancing of any sort as worshippers prayed with their toes touching one another.

Though, he said that there was provision for clean atmosphere as required by government but that the mosque authority did not adhere to government’s directive that the aged and children should not attend.

At the Lagos secretariat central mosque, worshippers were compelled to physically distance themselves as there was a reasonable distance between them. Some of the worshippers however expressed their concern over such distance as they insisted Islamically, prayers should be performed toe-to-toe during a congregational prayer.

Another Lagos mosque, Shogunle central mosque in Oshodi, whose doors were locked last Friday for Juma’at prayers, sent notifications to its congregation that Jumah prayers are to resume on August 14. In a release by the General secretary of the mosque, Alhaji Sirajudeen Owosho, the prayer has been scheduled to hold from 1:30pm to 2:30pm with strict compliance to the protocols as released by the State Ministry of Home Affairs.

It is however worthy of note that some residents have deliberately refused to resume religious activities until the coast is very clear. Mr. Olutayo Darasimi said he will not allow his family members attend any church service nor his children go to school until there is a cure or vaccine for COVID-19.

Some churches are also yet to resume religious activities in Lagos. The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries for instance said its branches in Lagos and Ogun states would not open until September. A statement from the church said there was need to observe and properly appraise post-lockdown indices before opening its branches while a compliance committee has been constituted by the general overseer ahead of resumption.

The senior Pastors of Daystar Christian Centre, Sam and Nike Adeyemi resolved not to open their worship centres for physical gathering on the immediate, saying the church will continue to hold services online exclusively pending further review  as they look forward to the resumption of physical services in a safe environment.

Also the Household of God, Pastor Chris Okotie has said that his church would not open despite the lift of the ban on worship activities. So also the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Pastor T.B. Joshua who said his church would not begin service until he hears from God to do so.

A member of Redeem Christian Church of God, Brother Shedrach Maji told our reporter that branches of the church will be opened from August 16, 2020.

In view of the recent reopening of religious centres, the Lagos State Safety Commission has organised a training programme themed: ‘COVID-19: Health and Safety Protocols’ for 50 religious leaders.

The Director-General of the Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, told participants at the training that there was need for all religious leaders in the State to observe stipulated safety protocols to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic among their followers.

He noted that the training programme was geared towards ensuring that the leaders are enlightened on basic hygiene management, safety protocols and guidelines stipulated by the State and Federal governments. While acknowledging that the level of compliance to safety guidelines in places of worship visited after the reopening was commendable, Mojola cautioned that religious bodies must not rest on their oars until the pandemic is effectively contained in the State.

“The pandemic has unleashed social and economic hardship on every aspect of human lives across the world without sparing places of worship. Hence, you must always be on guard and comply with stipulated safety protocols in order to protect yourself and followers from the disease,” he advised.

Responding, the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheik Sulaimon Abou-Nola represented by Alhaji Shakirudeen Abdul-Gafar, and Chairman of the Lagos state chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Prof. Alexander Bamgbola represented by Reverend Father Mathew Ogunyase, promised to ensure strict compliance with the safety guidelines in all religious houses.