Etim Ekpimah
The Christian Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Office has directed all churches in the state to hold Crossover Night Service till 11pm on December 31.
A statement signed and made available to newsmen and community leaders by the chairman of the association in the state, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, noted that the decision to hold the crossover night service was reached after consultation with Lagos State Government.
The statement read: “There will be cross-over night service on December 31, 2020 in many churches that observe the annual service.
“However, it must be noted that the curfew imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic is a Federal Government directive. Hence, churches who want to observe the crossover night shall be allowed to hold service till 11pm.
“However, for churches which observe their watchnight or cross-over night service till the middle of the night, no church member must be allowed to leave the church premises or service venue till after the end of the curfew period (4am) as directed by the Federal Government.”
According to the statement, churches are to ensure that COVID-19 protocols put in place by the government are fully adhered to 50 per cent sitting capacity and well-spaced, use of face-mask mandatory and should be strictly enforced, hand-wash and hand-sanitation facilities to be placed at strategic locations at the church premises.
The statement added that the service hall should be well-ventilated and temperature thermometer must be available to take the temperature of members.
“Any suspected case of COVID-19 should be promptly reported to the relevant authorities,” the statement noted.