By Kemi Olatunde

|

As political parties prepare for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state, the need for them to embrace the use of social media for their campaigns in order to reduce the spread of corona virus(COVID-19) has been stressed.
Chairman, Inter ministerial committee on COVID-19 in the state and Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi stated this while releasing the officially approved updated guidelines for COVID-19 prevention in the state to journalists in Akure on Wednesday.
According to him, the use of the social media will enable political parties reach more people and noted that an enforcement team should be put in place to ensure the use of nose masks by followers and also observe social distancing in cases of outdoor campaigns so as to keep the state safe.
He explained that they should avoid the gathering of large number of people noting that campaign venues should not be more than one-third of their capacities and added that members should be sensitised on COVID-19 prevention.
Fatusi revealed that preparations regarding provision of adequate logistics for COVID-19 prevention for all primary schools is being monitored just as he added that resumption date for schools to be reopened will be announced at an appropriate date based on the state of infection, reflections on national and global experiences and due consultation with stakeholders.
While speaking further, he noted that preparation for resumption of Civil Servants on GL 1 – 12 is ongoing adding that government offices must enforce the use of face masks by both staff and visitors.
Market operators according to him must comply with all public health guidelines for the prevention of the virus on daily basis and stressed the need for them to maintain healthy environments.
On bars/clubs, he announced the lift on ban of their operation noting that failure to adhere strictly to the expected guidelines will lead to closure of such bar/club including facing the wrath of COVID-19 law of the state.
Speaking on social gathering both in religious places and event centres, he stated that permission to hold an event must be sought from the acting commissioner for health and approval obtained before organising an event. He added that food/drinks must be packed in take aways so as not to expose guests to the risk of the infection.
Speaking earlier in his remarks, Chairman, House Committee on Health, Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Faleye applauded the team for its diligent work and called for the resumption of other Civil Servants in order to boost productivity in the state.
Giving an update on the virus in the state, the incident manager, Dr. Stephen Fagbemi said as at Wednesday, there have been 5117 suspected cases with 1556 confirmed cases since April 3, 2020.
According to him, there have been 33 mortalities, 2.0 case fatality rate and 28 percent positivity rate.
Fagbemi noted that 422 health workers had earlier been infected with all of them free from the virus and added that the state has 56 active cases left.