COVID-19: Imo Task Force Monitors Churches, Urges More Compliance

Owerri, July 7, 2020 Imo COVID-19 Task Force Committee on Sunday monitored some churches in the state to ascertain level of compliance to Coronavirus protocol of mask wearing, washing of hands and social distancing, expressing satisfaction.

The Chairman of the Task Force Prof. Maurice Iwu made the observation on Sunday when he led his team to major churches in Owerri to ascertain level of compliance by Church members to the Coronavirus protocol.

According to agency report, the churches visited are the Catholic ArchDiocese of Owerri, Assumpta Cathedral , the Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration of our Lord (CATOL), Anglican Diocese, and Living Faith Church (a.k.a. Winners Chapel), Owerri.

Iwu who said that the churches were chosen at random while more churches especially in the rural areas would be visited, noted that it was not only necessary to take the COVID-19 campaign to churches but more importantly to monitor their compliance.

He reiterated that coronavirus is real, preventable and can be treated as the state he said had not witnessed any death attributable to the disesase, explaining that compliance was necessary in order to prevent its spread.

He commended the churches visited for being receptive, and for observing the COVID-19 protocol of hand washing under running water, use of sanitiser and for observing social distancing.

Iwu gave a historical background of coronavirus saying it is not new but gives a diffrent presentation any time it visits a place which relaxes in observing proper protocol and hygiene.

“The virus is not new in Nigeria and the world. We have witnessed its like in 2014 and 2015.

“It spreads from one person to another so it becomes necessary to maintain a distance between one person and another, wear mask and wash hands under running water with application of alcohol based sanitiser as often as possible.

“Even singing loud in the church among choir members can help spread the virus as such choir people should learn how to sing with masks on. People should be encouraged to use their brains; their thinking faculty and not only prayers to handle coronavirus,” he said.

Iwu pointed out that isolation is in the best interest of the person suspected to have the virus and also residents of the state as the person would be monitored and treated incase of any symptomatic presentation.

“The state has so far recorded zero death. The people isolated have been cooperating very well and they are well cared for. Many people believe the virus does not exist. COVID-19 is real and not a scam.

“Wearing of mask is not to punish people. What we are interested in is saving lives, using existing infrastructure of the state government and also monitor global developments to help our people,” he said.

The chairman of the task force thanked the Catholic ArchBishop of Owerri, ArchBishop Anthony Obinna, and Bishop of the Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration of our Lord (CATOL), Anglican Diocese, Owerri, Most Reverend Chukwuma Opara, for encouraging their members to adher to the COVID-I9 protocol.

Our correspondent reports that the chairman also lauded Rev. Joseph Ajibade, Senior Pastor of Iiving Faith Church (a.k.a.) Winners Chapel, Owerri for their warm reception and for complying to all the protocol expecially that of temperature checking.

The clerics, in their different speeches, congratulated the Imo COVID-19 task force team for their dogged efforts so far to check the spread of the pandemic in the state and treatment of those in isolation and urged them not to relent.

They pledged their unallloyed support and partnership to the team to enable it succeed in their goal of curtailng the spread of coronavirus in the state.

CCA