In an update on the Covid '19 pandemic which had caused restrictions to be imposed on people's lifestyles, Ogun State Goverment may be reopening schools in the state soon. To this end the state government has taken a positive step to ensure the quick return of students to schools especially the final year students in primary and secondary schools.
The state government has set up a committee to engage all stakeholders in both public and private schools in order to allow certificate classes to resume and write their examinations.
In a press statement released over the weekend by Kunle Shomorin, the Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the state government has also extended the current phase of eased lockdown in the state by another two weeks.
However, religious institutions, churches and mosques are still to remain closed, according to the press release.
The State Government said that it will continue to be deliberate, cautious, focused and balanced in its efforts to place highest priority on public safety over and above any other consideration in its approach to flatten the curve of the dreaded COVID-19 virus in the state as available data and opinions of experts continue to indicate that the fight against the virus is far from being won.
To date, a total number of 4,072 people have been tested out of which 898 tested positive. Amongst the positive cases, 609 have been successfully treated and discharged. Sadly, there have been a total of 19 deaths with 270 active cases. One of the state border Local Governments is one of the Local Governments with the highest number of cases in the country because of the level of testing, the press statement confirmed.
This high level of prevalence may also be obtainable in other Local Governments as we ramp up testing. All this emphasises the need for us to exercise high level of restraint as the state can neither afford more fatalities or allow the rate of sickness to outnumber the capacity to manage the sick.
The state government warned that as usual, it will continuously review and modify the guidelines in response to data from the field and expert opinions.
While noting the recent lifting of the ban on interstate travels by the federal government, the State will monitor this development to determine its impact on the COVID-19 situation and will not hesitate to make appropriate adjustment, in consultation with the federal government, it stressed further.
The government reiterated that the following restrictions would remain in place.
▪ All 5 working days in the week (Monday to Friday) are still open for businesses and other economic transactions with only Saturday and Sunday as lockdown days;
▪ Commercial activities are not permitted on weekends
▪ Churches and mosques activities will remain closed;
▪ Observation of dusk-to-dawn curfew as directed by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) i.e. between 10.00pm and 4.00am daily;
▪ Wearing of face masks in the public is still mandatory;
▪ Only one passenger is still allowed for motorcycles and two passengers only for tricycles.
▪ Taxi cabs and buses still have 60% limitation on their carrying capacity and the measure to arrest and impound any driver that contravenes this in our State is still in force;
▪ The COVID-19 Task Force in markets must continue to ensure physical distancing, availability of hand washing facilities, and use of gloves and facemasks for traders;
▪ Decontamination will continue in our markets and other public places;
▪ Limitation of all gatherings to a maximum number of 20, is still in effect;
▪ 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, are still not allowed to operate;
▪ 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 measures in place. Guidelines for eat-in services are still being fine-tuned;
▪ All industries in Ogun State must continue to comply with the “Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for Workplaces in Ogun State to Combat COVID-19” as issued by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments. Therefore, testing of staff for COVID-19 in all industries in the State must be sustained;
▪ The Task Force set up to conduct random spot checks on the premises of the industries, restaurants and other business enterprises to confirm compliance is still in operation.
Other precautionary measures still in force in Ogun State are:
▪ Funerals and wedding gatherings should not be more than 20 persons, including family members and officiating ministers/priests;
▪ There will still be restriction on sports and recreational activities;
▪ Bank/Financial Institutions are to continue their normal operations as allowed in Phase two;
The Governor appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the people of the State and emphasises that despite all the restrictions and government efforts, each individual taking personal responsibility is at the heart of this joint effort to combat a common enemy.
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