Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, churches, like other worship centres were closed in march in a bid to curtail the spread of the virus.
However, there was a really low turnout yesterday in the reopening of churches as churches strictly observed the safety protocols established by the PTF on COVID-19.
Churches like the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Pastor Tunde Bakare; Shepherd Superintendent of the Household of God Church, Rev. Chris Okotie; General Overseer of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet TB Joshua; the Senior Pastors of Daystar Christian Centre, Sam and Nike Adeyemi; and Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) did not reopen their churches yesterday.
In Ikorodu, the 8:15 am mass in Saint Augustine Catholic Church, Mary Hill, Ikorodu, held with strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocol and regulations.
Only 40 per cent of worshippers were allowed in per mass, with two services running simultaneously. Security personnel on the ground assisted with crowd control.
Also, there were various handwashing stations and sanitiser dispensers at strategic points within the church, just as they ensured all worshippers wore face masks.
During the service, all worshippers observed social distance, with only three parishioners on a pew, just as the service was short.
The Lord’s Chosen Church and Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) around the area held very brief services of about an hour still under strict adherence to laid-down protocols of reopening of churches.
In Ebute Metta, Ijero Baptist Church also registered low attendance but it enforced ‘no face mask, no entry’ rule, as well as social distance.
Pentecostal Day Vision Ministries also recorded a scanty congregation but all protocols were observed.
According to reports, the poor attendance by the RCCG worshippers may be due to the ongoing convention of the church, which is taking place at the Redeemed Camp along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
