To the relief of residents of Ogun State, Gov Dapo Abiodun on Thursday night said that the eight weeks partial lockdown of the state as part of measures adopted to curb Covid-19 pandemic will now only hold on weekends, Saturdays and Sundays precisely.
Gov Abiodun stated that the implication of this is that while the residents of the state could before now only transact businesses on three days of the week, that is Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 am to 5pm, they are now to run their business activities unhindered from Monday to Friday with exception of Saturdays and Sundays beginning from Monday June 1st.
The governor said that the presidential directive of curfew beginning from 8 pm still subsisted while further arrangement on opening of places of worship was still being fine-tuned.
Abiodun said people must however not considered the further easing of the lockdown to mean that the worst about COVID-19 was over or that the curve of the spread had been flattened as all available data and simulations pointed to the fact that the state was yet to reach its peak, consequently the further easing of the lockdown was not a license to throw cautions to wind.
The governor said “For avoidance of doubt, all the existing guidelines to combat COVID-19 in the State remain in place. In addition, specific guidelines to guide the operations of industries have been issued and must be fully complied with by all industries, as part of preparations for full operations. Let me reiterate some of the guidelines.
“The curfew from 8.00pm to 6.00am as directed by the President is still in place.Restrictions on Interstate travel are also retained. Wearing of face masks in the public is still mandatory
!Only one passenger is still allowed for motorcyles, otherwise known as Okadas, whilst tricycles are limited to two passengers only”.
“Taxi cabs and buses still have 60% limitation on their carrying capacity and we will arrest and impound any driver that contravenes.The COVID-19 Task Force in markets are still mandated to ensure physical distancing, availability of handwashing facilities and use of gloves in addition to facemasks for traders.
“Fumigation will continue in our markets and other public places. Limitation of all gatherings to a maximum number of 20, including religious activities, is still in effect. We are currently working on the guidelines for places of worship. Until this is finalized, the current restrictions apply.
“Gyms, event centres, cinemas, arcades, bars, casinos, nightclubs, swimming pools, barber-shops, spas, beauty Salons, and all public parks, including those in private residential estates, will not be allowed to operate, even during this new phase of relaxation.
“Restaurants are permitted to provide ONLY take-away services and should also ensure that there are no more than 10-15 customers at a time with physical distancing. Guidelines for eat-in services are being finetuned.
He disclosed that all industries in the state must comply with the guidelines of “Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for Workplaces to combat COVID-19” as jointly issued by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments.
Abiodun said his goverment was encouraged by the reports of some industries with large number of personnel carrying out COVID-19 test on their staff, amongst other measures as testing of staff is one of the requirements contained in the guidelines issued.
The governor said a Task Force has been set up to conduct random spot checks on the premises of the industries, restaurants and other business enterprises to confirm compliance warning that violation of any of the guidelines will be treated as a threat to the collective well- being of residents of the state and would therefore be met with appropriate penalties.
Abiodun said that the state recorded 59 new positive cases in the last one week bringing the total number of positive cases to date to 242 while additional 12 individuals have been successfully treated and discharged bringing the total discharged cases to 109 leaving the state with 133 active cases.
Sadly, the governor regretted the loss of three people within the last one week, two of whom were confirmed positive after their death bringing the total mortality to 9 in the state.
Abiodun explained further that the testing capacity for Covid-19 in the state has been further boosted as the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has accredited the state Molecular Laboratory in Sagamu addding that with the use of mobile laboratory, the first of its kind in Nigeria, the state now has combined daily testing capacity of about 650.
Thanking the residents of the state for their show of understanding and cooperation in the face of the inconveniences brought about by the lockdown, Gov Abiodun however said that the further easing of the lockdown should not be taken as a full reopening of the economy and therefore encouraged as many that could continue to work from home or via internet to continue to do so.
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