Wike Relaxes Restrictions for Religious Gatherings for Easter

The Rivers State Government has said it has temporarily relaxed restrictions on large religious gatherings to enable Christians carry out their religious obligations during the Easter period.

In a state broadcast on Thursday, the state Governor, Nyesom Wike, said the directive also permitted the Muslim community to observe their Jumaat prayers within the period.

 According to the governor, "In the spirit of Easter, therefore, and after a careful review of the COVID-19 situation in our state, we have decided to temporarily relax the restriction on large religious gathering as follows: ‘April 10, 2020, all Muslim faithful should observe Juma’at prayers in their mosques or prayer grounds throughout the state and pray for the peace, forgiveness and the blessings of Allah upon the state.

"While on Sunday, being April 12, 2020, all Christians should have Easter church services with their full congregation and pray to God to forgive us of our sins, continue to intervene in our affairs and protect the state and our people from the coronavirus.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the relaxation on mass religious gathering is limited only to the afore-mentioned respective dates."

Wike stated further that all other restrictions remain.

"All other restrictions, including the closure of markets, night-clubs, cinemas, beer parlours, public burials, weddings, parks as well as the closure of our air, land and sea routes into the state shall remain in force until further notice.

"Once again, thank you for your support and cooperation as we work collectively to keep our dear state safe and secure from coronavirus and other afflictions," he said.

He wished the people a happy Easter celebration, while trusting on their prayers for God to heal the land and see the state through.

Wike said all the measures implemented by the state government since March 24    to check the spread of  CPVID-19 have yielded results.

According to him, "Most of these measures, including the restrictions on religious assemblies above 50 persons, were targeted at avoiding comingling, maintaining social distancing and ensuring that the state and its citizens are free from COVID-19.  From all assessments, it is going well with our state and we are grateful to God for His mercies and protection.

"We are also grateful for the strong public support, and I just want to say thank you for your kind understanding in the midst of the troubles you are made to endure in these trying times."