Go Ahead With Your Crossover Worship Service Makinde Tells Religion Leaders

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, approved the halt of the 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. curfew earlier put on states by the Federal Government, saying that officials of the State’s Task Force on Covid-19 will ensure rigid obedience to the guidelines and advisories during the festive season and after.

Makinde, directed that religious centres be permitted to hold crossover worship services only in strict obedience to the COVID-19 protocols.

The Technical Team of the Task Force on COVID-19 had earlier said that it was cancelling the crossover services given the 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. curfew put in place by the Federal Government.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, in his statement, however, advised that worship centres must comply strictly to the advisories and guidelines installed to prevent the spread of the virus in the state.

The statement further revealed that the governor gave the commands in brief approved by Prof. Temitope Alonge, the chairman of the Technical Team of the COVID-19 Task Force, which evaluated the earlier pronouncement of the Technical Team and lifted the curfew.

The statement added that other directives earlier released by the Task Force, including the directive of 50 per cent occupancy for worship and event centres, ban of street carnivals and others, are still active.

The statement read: “Following a review of the pronouncement of the Technical Team of the Task Force on COVID-19 in Oyo State on 29th December 2020, His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE, has magnanimously directed that the 12 midnight to 4 a.m. curfew be lifted. “The governor has also warned citizens and residents of Oyo State to ensure strict compliance with the guidelines, protocols and advisories as laid down by the OYO State COVID-19 Task Force aimed at limiting the transmission of the disease in our communities.

“Secondly, he has directed that enforcement of these guidelines and protocols following the law will be applied as appropriate, enjoining individuals and organisations to comply and by so doing ensure that we all spread the joy of this season and not the virus.”

If we can remember the Oyo State Task Force on COVID-19 had, in a bulletin published on Tuesday, earlier cautioned individuals, families and corporate organisations in the state to obey protocols such as the use of face masks in public places, social distancing and regular washing of hands.

The Task Force had also prompted event centres on the existing advisory on 50 per cent capacity occupancy for events, while making the proper use of face masks and handing washing requirements, a must.

It charged residents of Oyo state, including private healthcare providers and individuals feeling ill, to access the functional testing centres across the 33 local government areas of the state.