The Ondo State Government has banned churches across the state from holding cross-over services in a measure to stem the growing tide of coronavirus infection.
Recall that cross-over service is an annual ritual held in churches in the night of every December 31 and the early hours of January 1 to usher in the New Year.
The programme must not take place anywhere in Ondo among other preventive measures to curtail the continued spread of the marauding COVID-19 second waves, according to a statement the State Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi released.
It reads in part, “No church service organised in respect of the New Year celebration must exceed 10pm in line with the Federal Government directive on curfew.
“The government and business offices shall continue to open, with strict compliance of COVID-19 precautionary measures; no primary or secondary school in the state shall resume until 18th of January, 2021, markets shall continue operations but with heightened enforcement of COVID-19 precautionary measures.
“Night clubs and relaxation spots must not operate beyond 10pm; picnics can operate but in open space and adherence to COVID-19 protocols; while anybody above 60 years of age or with existing ailment(s) are strongly advised to remain indoors.”
In Ogun’s case, the State government put a ceiling to those, who could attend the programme rather than cancellation in a statement the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Kunle Somorin released saying, “Governor Abiodun further directed that religious and worship centres should not exceed 50 per cent of their capacity. All services must also be in compliance with all COVID-19 protocols.”
