Gov Dapo Abiodun
The jubilation of residents of Ogun State, which greeted the ease of lockdown announced by President Muhammadu Buhari, during his nationwide broadcast on Monday, has been short lived, as Governor Dapo Abiodun has extended the lockdown for another 7 days.
Great Achiever Magazine reports that the governor disclosed this on Friday, while addressing a press conference at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The governor said: "However, for us in Ogun State, the extension will now end on Sunday, 9th May, that is, taking into consideration the initial one week of grace granted us by Mr. President.
"In line with Mr. President’s address to the entire nation, the Lockdown is still in place. However, the Lockdown will begin to be relaxed gradually and in phases from Monday, 4th May, in consideration of the peculiarity of the different States.
"To this end, our relaxation window remains Monday, 4th May; Wednesday, 6th May; and Friday, 8th May. The new time frame will, however, now be from 7am to 5pm on those days. This will give our people ample time to conduct necessary economic activities and to get to their various homes before the commencement of the daily curfew as directed by Mr. President. For the avoidance of doubt, the curfew is from 8pm to 6am everyday and will be strictly enforced.
"Let me restate that as I announced last week, the use of face mask is now compulsory in public. We have procured over one million face masks that we are distributing across the State to groups such as Market Women, Artisans, Transport Unions, Law Enforcement Agencies, Civil Servants and religious groups among others. Nevertheless everybody has a personal responsibility to procure and wear a face mask".
Governor Abiodun confirmed that the COVID-19 task force at a meeting with market leaders set up COVID-19 enforcement committees in the various markets.
He said the enforcement committees have been empowered to enforce physical distancing, the use of face masks and the deployment of hand washing facilities and hand sanitizers at strategic locations within the various markets.
He also emphasized that those handling food items must also wear hand gloves and maintain high level of personal and hand hygiene in addition to wearing face masks.
The governor disclosed that at another meeting with transport operators, a joint task force of transporters and security agencies was inaugurated to ensure that transporters and passengers wear face masks and enforce the strict compliance of NO interstate travel, except vehicles on essential services, explaining that, even for such vehicles, there is a ceiling of a maximum of five persons which includes the driver.
He said all these persons must provide proof of their connection with the vehicle and the particular service the vehicle provides.
Abiodun said: "Let me state, with all sense of seriousness that we will not condone any act that could sabotage the ban on interstate travel by any of these vehicles or persons on essential services.
"For avoidance of doubt, there will be no interstate travels whatsoever for persons living in Ogun State and working in other states, including Lagos.
"For intrastate transport, operators are permitted to carry a maximum of half (50%) of the passenger capacity. Specifically, a taxi cab can carry only three passengers, with one in front and a maximum of 2 in the rear seat. 14 seater buses must carry no more than 7 passengers spread across the rows. Tricycle can carry a maximum of 2 passengers, whilst okada riders can carry only one passenger at a time.
"In all cases, drivers / riders must not only wear face masks, they must ensure that their passengers also wear. Failure to comply with these guidelines will lead to the confiscation of the vehicles or okada.
"As we go on to relax the lockdown gradually and in phases, let me state that we cannot afford a blanket lift on all aspects of our lives because of the inherent dangers.
"Therefore, all educational institutions remain closed till further notice. However, students in public schools will continue their learning via Digiclass, while 30% of public servants are to resume for work on the days of windows of relaxation of lockdown. Head of Service will issue a circular providing details. As usual, all essential service personnel will continue to work notwithstanding the lockdown", he said.
Governor Abiodun further hinted that all public religious gatherings remained banned, as well as all pubs, clubs, stadia, public pools, spars, gyms, salons, etc., and indeed, any assembly of more that fifteen persons till further notice, with the exception of restaurants which may open on the approved days for take-out meals only.
The governor stated that there is no objection to naming rites of newborns and burial rites of deceased loved ones. But such gatherings must not be more than the prescribed 15 which includes even the officiating priests, while all attendees must observe social distancing.
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