There is a pleasant prospect that the ban on religious centres across the country due to the ravaging crisis of coronavirus scourge will be lifted any time soon.

The probability is looking real after the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) met with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19.

According to a report contained in The Nation, operatives of Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) were also at the meeting which was held on Tuesday, May 26, to fashion out modalities for reopening of religious centres.

It has been rumoured that prior to the meeting, there has been pressure on the government to lift the ban placed on religious centres despite the spike in Covid-19 cases in Nigeria.

Nigeria's coronavirus cases hit a scary figure 8733 across 35 states and FCT as the NCDC announced 389 new cases on Wednesday, May 27.

But at the meeting, it was agreed that religious centres should be opened albeit with precautionary measures that must be totally complied with.

CAN president, Rev Samson Ayokunle, confirmed the development, adding that security operatives will be employed to enforce total compliance with the new precautionary measures.

He said the guidelines for the ban lift mandate churches to fumigate their premises before reopening for services.

1 Alcoholic sanitisers, soap, water and temperature readers must be provided by churches

2. Worshippers must apply sanitisers and use face masks after washing hands

3. Sitting arrangement should accommodate distancing with a one-meter gap between two worshippers.

4. Handshaking and hugging should be avoided before, during and after the service.