David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel, has criticized some of the guidelines laid down by the government for the reopening of churches.
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The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, on June 1, with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari, lifted the ban on religious gatherings in the country, initially imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Among the guidelines are that places of worship must provide thermometers to check the temperature of worshippers, and water with soap for them to wash their hands before services.
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But the task force said reopening of places of worship is subject to the approval of governors in their states.
The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, announced that worship centres in the state will reopen on June 19, but must operate only at 40 percent of their capacity.
He also advised that persons below the age of 15, and citizens that are above 65 should not be allowed into places of worship, due to their vulnerability to the virus.
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The governor noted that the Lagos State Safety Commission will be on ground to monitor compliance.
However, reacting to the developments, Oyedepo questioned how the age compliance guideline will be enforced.
He asked why should places of worship provide thermometers, when there are none in markets.
“They said anyone above 65 cannot go to Church. I have never seen that kind of thing in my life.
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“Will police go to church and start asking everybody ‘how old are you’? They said churches should have thermometers.
“Do they have thermometers in the market to check all those coming to buy in the market? I am jealous for the Church.
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“We are still planting 10,000 churches this year. We have done 1,400 remaining 8,600. The devil should be weeping and mourning,” he was quoted as saying by Church Gist on Facebook
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