THE Osun State Government has banned Muslim faithful from gathering for Eid prayers during this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, owing to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Secretary to the State Government, Wole Oyebamiji, in a statement he signed and issued on Tuesday, said the government decided to cancel Eid congregation and prayers after appraising how the state was currently faring with respect to the global health emergency.
Since the Sallah festival and Juma’at fall on the same day, the state government said Muslims could do Juma’at service in line with the existing safety protocols and guidelines.
The statement said, “The State of Osun is still recording rising figures of confirmed COVID-19 cases amidst an active community transmission stage of the pandemic. This, coupled with the fact that people whose COVID-19 status have not been ascertained, would be travelling into the State from different parts of the country, in the spirit of the celebration.
“The State cannot afford the impact of any form of large gathering such as the kind expected at praying grounds and the associated difficulties of enforcing the safety protocols against COVID-19. Our health managers are also worried by the recent surge in active cases, and have warned that the state could experience galloping figures due to continued disobedience of safety protocols if it allows any kind of specially high density gatherings or congregation.”
The SSG added, “The State Government does not want its citizens exposed to this dangerous infection, especially among the aged and those with underlying health conditions. The State Government of Osun is not relenting in its fight to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, and to rid the state of it.
“The government is, and will continue to take necessary actions towards ensuring the safety and security of its people. The Governor and State Government of Osun wish all Muslim faithful a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration ahead.”
