The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has insisted Churches planning to hold New Year crossover service must not surpass 50 per cent capacity of their halls.

The “crossover night” is a religious rite observed on New Year’s eve by Christian congregations to herald the new year.

This is part of the administration’s measure to prevent COVID-19 superspreader gatherings, says Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement.

Mr Attah, who stated this in an interview with reporters on Wednesday in Abuja, said the rule also applies to all mass gatherings in the territory.

He urged worship centres to adhere strictly to the recommended preventive measures and health guidelines.

Noting that the surge in new cases of COVID-19 was alarming, Mr Attah said the FCT Administration would not fold its arms and watch people jeopardise its efforts at curbing the disease.

He also said that the ban on nightclubs and other social gatherings where physical distancing and non pharmaceutical protocols could not be achieved, remained in force.

On December 26, the FCT recorded an alarmingly disturbing 806 new cases, while on December 27, the new cases were 57.

He said that the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, and Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, had at different occasions met with religious leaders and other stakeholders to ensure synergy in fighting the deadly pandemic.

Mr Attah, who said the ministers had reiterated their commitments to keep Abuja safe and secure, appealed to religious leaders and residents to ensure complete compliance with all the COVID -19 guidelines.

He said an enforcement team would be mobilised to track down violators who would be made to face the laws of the land.

(NAN)