The Federal Government has berated state governments lifting the ban on congregational prayers as the nation continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha spoke on Thursday at the daily briefing of the PTF shortly after Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje lifted the ban on congregational and Eid prayers.
Ganduje had lifted the ban just after Mustapha announced President Muhammadu Buhari’s to extend ongoing lockdown in Kano by two weeks.
Speaking on Thursday, Mustapha said, “I’m particular about congregational gatherings. Large gatherings will expose even the 20 persons that we want to protect.
“We want our sub-national government to really reconsider their decisions on allowing large gatherings to take place until when we have been fully prepared and we can adjudge that the moment has come for that to be allowed.”
At a virtual meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) held earlier on Thursday, the SGF urged states to align their actions with the guidelines issued from the Federal Government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Similarly emphasised is the need for states to diligently implement and enforce compliance. Particularly, I underscored the need for the governors to provide personal and strong leadership, carry the policy of community ownership to the grassroots and create deeper awareness.
“The governors were also advised on the decision taken by some of their colleagues to permit large gatherings as such decisions could inadvertently endanger the elderly, the sick and those with underlying factors during such gatherings. The strong advisory from the PTF is that large gatherings beyond 20 persons remains prohibited and should be adhered to,” Mustapha said.
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