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At a time when coronavirus is ravaging the world, some states in Nigeria have decided to relax the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus due to Easter Celebrations.
Allnews reported how the state governments had restricted church worship and other social gatherings as precautionary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) have cautioned the populace to stay at home. The agencies on several occasions had emphasised that the stay-at-home order is the best preventive measure.
Meanwhile, the latest development in some of these states has caused many to panic as experts have predicted an exponential rise in the figures if the necessary measures are not followed.
As at Thursday evening, over 1.5 million people have contracted the disease globally while 90,000 persons have been killed, data from worldometer revealed.
According to Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi, church services would be held on Easter Sunday between 8 a.m and 12 p.m.
This was contained in a statement signed by Rev.Fr Abraham Nwali, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ebonyi chapter, urging worshippers to comply with the directive.
Also, the Ondo State Government had announced that there will be no restriction on movements on Easter Sunday to enable the Christians in the state to worship in their churches.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) after its meeting on Tuesday, said the leaders of the association and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had agreed to ease the restriction to allow church services hold in churches on Easter Sunday.
In the same light, Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa state pronounced a relaxation of the lockdown in the state.
Churches with large congregations would be permitted to have 50 persons during services while 20 worshippers would be allowed for smaller churches during services.
“All Churches must observe the social distancing rule as well as provide running water and soap for washing of hands.
“And these measures are for the period of the Easter celebrations,” the governor said
The governor noted that the lockdown would be back in place after Easter to ensure public health and curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
He said the stay-at-home order for civil servants and all other earlier measures had been extended for another two weeks.
Afenifere Kicks
Afenifere, a socio-cultural group, has berated Akeredolu for approving Easter service amidst Coronavirus lockdown
In a statement sent to this news medium, the group's spokesperson, Yinka Odumakin, condemned the approval by the state governor.
He said: "Afenifere sees this as succumbing to blackmail from religious leaders who should know better."
"We are of the view that the religious leaders on their own should have cancelled Easter Service on their own at a time that even the Pope is holding online service on Palm Sunday."
He explained that the Governor is putting the health of the people in jeopardy by approving the celebration.
Festus Ogun, a legal expert and human rights activist told our reporter that he is worried about the possible repercussion of the action.
"If we are being sincere with the fight against coronavirus, we wouldn't place our lives on the line on the basis of religious observations. Only the living can celebrate Easter and I do not think God would be angry if Nigerians are not in church to celebrate it. Leadership hypocrisy, in my view."
He said: "With the level of ignorance in the land, one would just imagine the imminent tragedy should all states lift the ban for any reason whatsoever. It compounds the spread and leaves many vulnerable."
Nevertheless, Nigerians on social media have expressed fear over the actions of the three state governments.
See the reactions below:
Even Vatican city is using their head but these ones who know Jesus more than Peter are the ones declaring free flow of movt..
Katsina, Kogi, Ebonyi, Ondo and co..
They should just put testing centres in those states.
Also we don't have any central record with cause of death
FLASH: Ondo State and Bayelsa have removed all restrictions on movements and gatherings to allow people celebrate Easter and go for church services.
It’s alright.
I hope this does not backfire terribly.
We will know in about a week’s time from NCDC Numbers.
If the Ka'bah Mecca can be closed, if St Peter's Basilica Vatican can be closed due to COVID-19, why should Churches & Mosques in Imo, Ondo & Katsina be opened? Does Corona Virus know whether it's Easter or not? Can Nigerians be more holy than the Pope or Al-Masjid an-Nabawī? ??♂️ https://t.co/Blizjq5mox
Whoever advised the government on that did not do so in the best interest of the people of Ondo State. As for me and my family, we are not attending any service until we conquer #COVID19, and I a very sure God will understand.
Gov Diri of Bayelsa, Akeredolu of Ondo are lifting ban on gathering due to Easter Sunday service, Masari of Katsina lift ban on Friday prayers while Gov Bello of kogi suspends d ban of all religious gathering
Our Governors want to be holier than Prophet Muhammad or Jesus Christ.
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