Crossover service: Oyo, Osun relax curfew, Lagos, Ogun restrict movements

Churches and other religious centres in Oyo State planning to hold crossover night service today leading into the first day of the new year have been permitted to do so as the state government has suspended the 12 midnight to 4am curfew imposed to check the spread of coronavirus nationwide.

Osun State Government has also relaxed the curfew, permitting the crossover service to hold.

But Lagos and Ogun state governments have also insisted that the curfew must be enforced and warned people not to violate the order. The Christian Association of Nigeria and a number of churches have either cancelled the annual programme or made necessary adjustment to end the service early.

The Federal Government had in September imposed the nationwide curfew between 12 midnight and 4am as part of efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

In Oyo State, a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Taiwo Adisa, said crossover services would be allowed to hold in the state.

It, however, added that religious centres must ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 safety protocols.

Nigeria is currently experiencing a second wave of infections, which has presented a significant increase in the number of new cases and deaths — over 10,000 samples were confirmed positive within the past 14 days.

Oyo currently has the fifth highest number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the country, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

As of December 29, the state had confirmed a total of 3,909 cases, out of which 3,377 recoveries and 46 deaths have been recorded.

The statement by the Oyo state government said with the suspension of the curfew, “officials of the state task force on COVID-19 will ensure strict compliance with the guidelines and advisories during the Yuletide and after.”

“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 4am curfew be lifted,” the statement read.

“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 in accordance with the law, which 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.”

In Ogun, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Waheed Odusile, announced on the state radio, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC), that there would be no movement within the curfew period and urged all worshipers to adhere to the stay-at-home order or make use of the social media platforms for the crossover night service.

A statement by Kunle Somorin, chief press secretary to the state governor, said, “In order to stem the spread of the second wave of the disease, Governor (Dapo) Abiodun advised that “there should be no gatherings of more than 50 people at any event or ceremonies, such as conferences, congresses, office events, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, cross-over nights, end of year parties, weddings, naming, birthdays, anniversaries, street carnivals, etc until further notice”.

But Osun State Government said it rescinded its earlier decision banning churches from holding crossover services in line with the mood of the season.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, said the government’s sensitivity to the mood of the season had necessitated a review of its earlier position.

She said, “The Government of the State of Osun has decided to allow crossover religious gatherings, But any organisation holding crossover service must note that they are expected to close the service early and everyone must be off the streets by 1:00am.

“Security operatives have been given the directive to enforce this guideline. Religious bodies and citizens are therefore advised to comply because we do not want anyone to spend the first day of the year in police custody.”