Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday said the state government may not grant the requests from religious leaders about relaxing the ban on gatherings to allow religious services hold.
The government had declared a curfew on movement and ban social gathering including church and mosque services.
Governor Makinde stated this while addressing the press on updates of Covid-19 in the State at Government House alongside his deputy, Engr Rauf Olaniyan; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun; and Prof Temitope Alonge.
He said the state is currently in an accelerated phase in the transmission of COVID-19 and the expert advice is that transmission occurs more easily in enclosed spaces.
“Regarding our directives on social distancing during this pandemic, we have received requests from religious leaders about relaxing the ban on gatherings to allow religious services to hold.
“We are currently in an accelerated phase in the transmission of COVID-19 in Oyo State and the expert advice is that transmission occurs more easily in enclosed spaces. So, we cannot at this time, relax this directive.
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“However, the experts are carrying out a risk situation analysis and will be sending in their report before the end of May and this will determine our next steps.”
He, however, said the government will be meeting with religious leaders before the end of this week to see how and when reopening of religious places will be possible.
