Coronavirus: Ondo grants churches permission to hold Easter services

Ondo State Government has given permission to churches in the state to hold Easter Sunday services.


The permission is not without conditions given to the churches.


The government said the churches must adhere to some conditions with a view to curbing the spread of COVID-19.


The chairman of Ondo chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Reverend John Oladapo, said social distancing order would be observed.

 Oladapo said the CAN leadership met with the State Government to rub minds on how to hold Easter Sunday worship service, which was granted by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.


He stated that CAN agreed to adhere to handwashing with soap, water and sanitisers as well as limiting services to 20 people in a small church building, 50 persons in a medium size while big and cathedrals must maintain 3 congregants on a pew.

He said the Easter services would hold between 7am and 12noon on Sunday and warned against posting the church services on social media.


Commissioner for information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, in his explanation, said there was no need for any misgivings.


Ojogo said the position of CAN and the Government should be seen as mutually inclusive.

 He said the state government has communicated the concession granted CAN to the Ondo State Police Command that it was to allow the celebration of Easter Sunday in churches.