Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, has declared that religious gatherings will be limited to 50% capacity.

Mustapha stated in an Abuja statement on Thursday that the restriction must be followed in complete conformity with public health measures.

According to him, there has been a drop in public health social measures, which has resulted in a rise in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Mustapha, however, added that it may be forced to introduce more restrictions should there be an increase in cases.

Reacting to the new directive, Spokesman for the CAN President, Rev. Adebayo Oladeji, faulted the limitation of religious and social gatherings.

He wondered why such directives were always issued during Christian holidays, asking the government to enforce the COVID-19 protocols in other public places.

Oladeji, however, asked Christians to comply with the protocols listed by the government.

He said: “Earlier in a statement, we asked all Christians to observe the COVID-19 protocols. But, unfortunately, they always bear their fangs during Christmas. That is when they always remember the need to enforce COVID-19 protocols.

“Nobody is enforcing anything in the markets. If you go to the banks, you will see crowds. Even if you go to the airports, you will see crowds. There is no social distancing. I was at the international airport two weeks ago. People were standing. There is no social distancing.”