By Elizabeth Vincent,
Six churches have been shutdown by the Bayelsa Government for failing to adhere to the operational protocols required to conduct services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The churches shutdown last Sunday are, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, also known as Olumba Olumba, Living Faith Church, Igbogene, Salvation Victory Centre, Igbogene, Shalom International Christian Centre, along Tombia-Amassoma road.
Others are, Great Grace Distinguished Assembly, Okutukutu and Hebrews International Church, Ayama road respectively.
According to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry of information, Mr Freston Akpor, “The state government on May 7, relaxed its restriction on social gatherings and allowed churches to hold services with up to 50 worshipers.
The relaxation was granted, subject to compliance to strict conditions on provision of hand washing facilities, wearing of face masks and observance of social distancing in the seating arrangements.
Mr Freston Akpor, Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa Ministry of Information, however, said on Monday in Yenagoa, that the Security Sub-committee of the state’s Task Force on COVID- 19, had sealed the over their failure to adhere to the lay down rules on Sunday.
“The six churches were sealed for failure to comply with safety measures put in place by the government to contain the spread of the pandemic and protect the people of Bayelsa.
“The churches will remain sealed until further notice to serve as deterrent to other churches.
“The move will help in ensuring that other churches adhere to the protocols on hand washing, use of face masks and social distancing as measures to check the spread of the virus in the state,” Akpor said.
He said the security sub-committee of the task force on COVID-19, opened two others churches earlier shutdown for violating safety measures on the pandemic.
“The two churches, the Halleluya Deliverance Ministry International and Embassy Faith churches were unsealed after undertaken to comply with prescribed safety protocols.” Akpor revealed.
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