Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that the total lockdown imposed on the state as part of the measures to control the spread of Coronavirus in the state, will be relaxed from Monday June 1, 2020.
Governor Abiodun said that there will be free movement of citizens from 6am to 8pm but the restrictions will continue on weekends till further notice.
He stated this on Thursday while addressing newsmen on the efforts of his administration at fighting the spread of the deadly virus, in his office, Okemosan, Abeokuta.
The governor said that lifting of the lockdown across the state formed the phase II of the crusade against COVID-19 pandemic, adding that religious worship centers will remain closed pending when religious leaders and appropriate government agents would finalise arrangements for their reopening.
“For government to ease restriction placed on worship centers, religious leaders will have to show proofs of their readiness to adhere to the laid down rules on prevention of community spread of COVID-19 which included sitting arrangement plans and time restriction among others”.
He also stated emphticaly that the ban on inter – state travels as announces by the federal government as well as restrictions on gym centers, cinemas, saloon among others are still in force, while he assured that the State Taskforce on COVID-19 will be monitoring activities at the banks to ensure that maximum number of customers allowed into the banking halls are not more than 15.
Governor Abiodun said his government has to take all these new measure due to the rise in the number of COVID-19 infection in the state saying, withing the past one week the State recorded about 59 new positive.
“We will always strike the right balance between the need for our people to pursue their economic activities whilst discharging our duties of safeguarding public health and safety.
“But between Thursday, 21st May and yesterday, Wednesday, 27th May, 2020 we recorded 59 new positive cases, an increase of 32 %, bringing the total number of positive cases to date to 242. Sadly, we regret the loss of three people, two of whom were confirmed positive after their death. This brings the total mortality to 9, as against 6 at the last briefing.
“Therefore, in consideration of the need to increasingly allow economic activities and after consultations with stakeholders, and based on expert advice from medical scientists and data analysis, the second phase of the eased lockdown will commence on the first of June, as indicated last week.
“All the existing guidelines to combat COVID-19 in the State remain in place. 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.
“The curfew from 8.00pm to 6.00am as directed by the President is still in place. Restrictions on Inter – state travel are also retained. Wearing of face masks in the public is still mandatory.
“The “Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for Workplaces in Ogun State to combat COVID-19” has been issued by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments. All industries in Ogun State are expected to comply with these guidelines.
“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. I wish to reiterate and warn that violation of any of the guidelines will be treated as a threat to our collective well- being and will be met with appropriate penalties”, Abiodun said.
