Churches in Delta State have been allowed to resume weekly activities from 3 May 2020 but they must meet certain conditions to curtail a surge in the Coronavirus [Covid-19] cases in the state.

The state secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Wisdom Madukwe, disclosed this after a meeting with the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Thursday evening.

According to the CAN secretary, the new directive comes with strict restrictions, particularly the implementation of social distancing procedures.

In a statement made available to church leaders across the state, the CAN scribe wrote:

“I am directed to inform you that at the end of our meeting with the Governor on 30/04/2020 opening of church worship was granted as follows:

“Effective: 3rd May, 2020.

“Duration of service: 2 hrs.

“Days of service per week: one each on Sundays & Wednesdays.

“No. of Worshippers per Service: 100 man capacity hall = 20 worshippers; 200 Capacity hall = 50 worshippers; 500 capacity & above =100 worshippers (Maximum).

“Hand washing, use of Sanitizers & Social distance of 6ft between seats, use of nose mask by all worshippers must be observed.

“No handshakes, no hugging.

“Heads of Blocs and Local Government Co-ordinators to disseminate this information to every Pastor within their Jurisdiction”.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had earlier ordered the relaxing of the stay-at-home order qcroos Delta State in order for the resumption of business activities.