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Oyo State Government has called on the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) in the state to ask churches to end their crossover services before 12 midnight on New Year eve, in order to enable worshipers to comply with the existing 12am to 4am curfew imposed by the Federal Government.
The Coordinator,Oyo State Task Force on COVID-19, Prof. Temitope Alonge, stated this in Ibadan on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the latest developments on COVID-19 in the state.
He urged the Oyo State chapter of CAN to emulate their counterpart in Lagos State, which had directed their members to end their crossover services latest by 11pm on Thursday.
He said street carnivals were banned in order to curb the spread of the virus while appealing to residents to obey COVID-19 protocols.
“I know that the Christian Association of Nigeria in Lagos State, after the release from the Lagos State government, had a meeting and directed that churches should in compliance with the national directive complete their services early enough for people to go home.
“We are asking CAN in Oyo State to do the same, admonish and advice as many of their members to comply with the national directive.
“It is not an Oyo State directive and we believe that was in the general good of everybody.
“It is the responsibility of the individuals, families and corporate organisations to adhere to existing COVID-19 guidelines and protocols such as the use of face masks in public places, physical distancing and regular hand washing,”Alonge said.
A Clinical Epidemiologist with Oyo State Emergency Operation Center, Dr Akindele Adebiyi, said the state had recorded 3,909 COVID-19 cases and 50 COVID-19 related deaths.