Abia Govt blows hot, accuses churches of violating directive on COVID-19

The Abia State Government has berated some churches in the State for paying lip service to Government directives and order on COVID-19.

Recall that the State Government had mandated 50 persons per stream of every church service, as well as other necessary protocols as part of precautionary measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease.

On Wednesday, the Abia State Enforcement Team of Inter-ministerial Committee on COVID-19, sealed Chapel of Answers International Church, located at Jubilee Road in Aba, for allegedly violating the State Government’s guidelines on social distancing.

The Enforcement team faulted the church for having more than 50 worshippers per stream, without face masks by members while also running weekly activities.

However, the Abia Government, in a press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government,(SSG) and the Chairman, Inter ministerial Committee on COVID-19, Barrister Chris Ezem and made available to CandyNews on Friday, expressed worry that majority of the said churches have resorted to midweek activities and children ministeries, thereby creating multiple platforms that can fast-track the spread of the deadly pandemic in the State.

The State government directed the leadership of the affected churches and other religious bodies including, enforcement teams of the various markets in the State to live up to their responsibility of ensuring total compliance to all the government protocol order on the pandemic or be ready to face full consequences of being negligent to their responsibility.

Parts of the release stated, “Government appreciates all law-abiding Abians for keeping faith with it in the fight against COVID-19 while reminding the general public that our Mobile Courts are on ground to prosecute all violators of the prescribed protocols on COVID-19 in the state.

“Government remains highly indebted to all our donors, front line personnel and health workers, security operatives, State and local government enforcement teams, the press and other voluntary organizations in the State for their collective efforts at curtailing the spread of the deadly pandemic in the State”.