The Osun State Government has disclosed why it rescinded its earlier decision banning churches from holding crossover services.
AFNews reports that the state government had banned churches from holding crossover services in the state due to the spike in the cases of COVID-19.
But in a statement on Tuesday signed by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, the government said its sensitivity to the season’s mood necessitated a review of its earlier position.
She, however, noted that all crossover services must close early and everyone must be off the streets by 1:00 am due to the curfew imposed by the federal government.
According to Egbemode, all religious leaders must ensure strict adherence to safety protocols, which include accommodating only 50 percent capacity of their normal attendance, ensuring social distancing, use of nose mask or face fields by participants.
The statement reads: “The Government of the State of Osun has decided to allow cross over religious gatherings. But any organisation holding cross-over service must note that they are expected to close the service early and everyone must be off the streets by 1:00 am.
“Security operatives have been given the directive to enforce this guideline. Therefore, religious bodies and citizens are advised to comply because we do not want anyone to spend the first day of the year in police custody.
“Also, the leadership of religious bodies must ensure strict adherence to safety protocols, which include accommodating only 50 per cent capacity of their normal attendance, ensuring social distancing, use of nose mask or face fields by participants, avoidance of sharing materials and instruments and avoidance of any other action that can help the virus to spread.“
