Bello introduces COVID-19 guidelines in Abuja for Sallah celebration

By Abba – Eku Onyeka Abuja

In order to review the current situation of of the COVID – 19 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), especially as it relates to Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, a meeting of the FCT Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) on COVID-19, chaired by the Hon Minister himself, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, was convened on Friday.

This is according to a press release from the FCT Administration, Anthony Ogunleye during last weekend.

Noting increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country and the FCT and the possibility of a third wave, and seeking for ways to curtail its spread, guided by the advice of the health professionals, the Minister ordered that: “all Eid prayers in the FCT be held in open spaces at Jumaat Mosques as well as the National Eid Ground; all open Eid grounds should have multiple entry and exit points with hand washing and temperature checking facilities and; the holding capacity of Eid grounds should be reduced to 50% to ensure physical/social distancing.”

Others are that, “All Imams should ensure that sermons are short so that the entire Eid prayers do not exceed one hour; all parks and recreational grounds and facilities shall remain closed throughout the festive period and; all worshippers should adhere to all prescribed non-pharmaceutical preventive measures of facial coverings, constant hand washing and physical distancing.”

In attendance at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, the Coordinator, WHO FCT Office, Dr Furera  Zakari, the Ag Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr Muhammed Kawu, the Chairman, FCT League of Imams Initiative, Dr Tajudeen M.B Adigun ,the Head of Media and Publicity , FCT Enforcement Task Team, Mr Ikharo Attah and other relevant officials of the FCTA.