Victor Akinkuolie Ado-Ekiti
|
As the number of coronavirus victims continue to increase in Ekiti state, the Government has imposed a curfew from 8.00 pm to 6.00 am and as well, ban all gatherings of more than twenty people in the state with effect from today, Monday, 11th January, 2021 until further notice.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, the State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr. Akinbowale Omole, explained that the new guideline is to forestall the spread of the coronavirus in the State, adding that there is need to take proactive steps to curtail the spread of the second wave of the virus which has been reported to be more contagious and severe than the first one.
The statement stressed that the curfew would be enforced strictly except for those that can prove that they are on essential services.
Reiterating the commitment of the State Government to the safety of lives of people in the State, Omole said Governor Fayemi directed the imposition of the curfew to protect residents of the State from falling prey to the second wave of the pandemic that has continued to claim thousands of lives all over the world.
He stressed the need for the people to strictly observe the Covid-19 protocols and abide by the curfew and new restrictions placed on public gatherings by the State Government, warning that government would enforce the new directives and recalcitrant people would be made to face the wrath of the law.
Omole emphasized the need for people in the State to properly wear nose masks, wash their hands with soap and use hand sanitizers regularly, as well as keep social distance to avoid contacting the virus.
According to the Commissioner, there is also a ban on all public gatherings of more than twenty people, while Covid-19 prevention protocol should be strictly observed even in such gatherings.
Omole expatiated that, to allow faithfuls observe their religious worships, the State Government said each worship centre should hold a maximum of two services on Friday, Saturday or Sunday accordingly adding that the services should however not extend beyond 2.00pm.
He re-emphasized that all worship centers are expected to provide necessary facilities for hand washing, soap and hand sanitizer at the entrance and infra-red thermometers to take worshippers temperature before they are allowed in for service.