Gbenro Adesina
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has partially grounded the state in order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Makinde, in a broadcast on Monday March 23, 2020, banned gatherings such as religious services, weddings, parties, burial ceremonies, night clubs and others, reiterating that gatherings should be limited to the maximum of 30 persons.
The Governor stated, “I have already directed that all public and private schools in Oyo State should be closed until after Easter, the on-going workers’ verification exercise has been suspended, the Free Health Mission has also been suspended, we have postponed the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Summit, indefinitely. We have also postponed the Agribusiness Summit indefinitely”.
Pointing out that all returning expatriate staff in the state are presently in isolation and are being monitored, he said, “I want to make it clear that I understand how this pandemic will affect us socially, economically and spiritually, but these are the sacrifices we need to make to preserve and protect our loved ones.
“Remember, some people among us can be asymptomatic. They can be carriers of the virus without showing any physical symptoms. This is why proper hygienic practices, social distancing and staying at home are very important. In times of anxiety, people want to come together physically and draw strength from the presence of others, but the advice on how to contain this virus is that we should do the exact opposite.
“This disease, this virus is disrupting our lives in ways that we never imagined any disease would. But we can conquer it. We have seen the number of new cases drop in other places around the world and we have to copy all they did, as far as our local circumstances can permit, to keep the numbers here in manageable proportions.
“Again, I enjoin everyone to work with us and do everything in their power to practice social distancing. With commitment and the grace of God we shall conquer this”.
