COVID-19: Makinde suspends curfew for residents to observe crossover nights

Etim Effiong

The Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde has suspended the Federal Government curfew of 12am to 4am to enable Oyo State residents to hold crossover night service.

The governor added that the officials of the state’s Task Force on Covid-19 will ensure strict compliance to the guidelines and advisories during the yuletide and after.

Makinde, however, directed that religious centres be allowed to hold crossover worship services only on strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

It would be called to mind that the Technical Team of the Task Force on COVID-19 had stated that it was ruling out the crossover services in view of the 12 am to 4 am curfew imposed by the Federal Government.

The governor, however, warned that worship centres must adhere strictly to the advisories and guidelines put in place to prevent the spread of the virus in the state.

Makinde, in a statement made available to Governor’s Office correspondents, added that he gave the directives in a brief endorsed by the chairman of the Technical Team of the COVID-19 Task Force, Prof. Temitope Alonge, which reviewed the earlier pronouncement of the Technical Team and lifted the curfew.

He added that other advisories earlier released by the Task Force, including the directive of 50 per cent occupancy for worship and event centres, ban of street carnivals and others, remain in effect.

“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 4 am curfew be lifted.

“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 will be applied as appropriate, enjoining individuals and organizations to comply and by so doing ensure that we all spread the joy of this season and not the virus,” the statement noted.