Mayowa Olumuyiwa
The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, in his weekly brief with Pressmen in Ondo State at the Government house ground in Alagbaka, Akure on Monday, has charged the people of the state to be vigilant.
To begin his address, the Governor first invited the Commissioner for health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, who also doubled as the Chairman of the Task Force on Covid-19 in the state to give the update on the pandemic.
According to the Health Commissioner, the latest case is a woman leaving at the Oke-Aro area of Akure.
In his report, Dr. Adegbenro further revealed that a total of 317 people have been tested so far within the state, 20 cases have been confirmed positive, 13 discharged, with only 1 death so far.
While dwelling on the statistics rolled out by the Health Commissioner, the state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu noted that the Covid-19 curve in the state is not flattened yet and the government shall consequently maintain its proactive measures taken at curtailing the pandemic.
He said, “We will do all to ensure freedom, confidence and prosperity for our people, including the right to seek the face of God almighty at all times and especially at these crucial times”
He further noted that the recent cases reveals that there is no imported cases in recent time but however, pointed that community transmission had been witnessed in most recent times.
Akeredolu added that efforts at contact tracing of 252 people is ongoing as well. He enjoined the people of the state not to jeopardize their health through self-medication and clinically unauthorised herbal mixtures.
On religion, he noted that the government will meet with religious leaders to ascertain the possibilities of reopening of worship centers with necessary guidelines required. He however, stressed that this will be consciously looked into and feedback will be given whenever a conclusive decision is reached.
He concluded by saying that all government rules and guidelines remain in force till further notice.
On the conduct of burials and interment in the state, Akeredolu hinted that this will be properly guided within the limit of modesty as laid out by government.
He therefore gave the hint that the government would be meeting with religious leaders and other stakeholders within the state to explore ways of returning religious worship to the society.
The governnor said, “We will accelerate such consultations and review and, without doubt, the people of the state will soon hear from me.
We will do all to ensure freedom, confidence and prosperity for our people, including the right to seek the face of God almighty at all times and especially at these crucial times”
He therefore gave the hint that the government would be meeting with religious leaders and other stakeholders within the state to explore ways of returning religious worship to the society.
The governnor said: “We will accelerate such consultations and review. Meanwhile, let me state categorically that all containment regulations earlier pronounced by Ondo State Government are geared towards protection of the people and containment of the spread of the pandemic. So far, they have led us to modest success and they shall remain in force, accordingly.
In his words, “Such measures include the dusk to dawn curfew, border and entry points closure, physical and social distancing, restrictions on business and market activities, compulsory use of face masks, guided burial and interment protocols as well as all personal hygiene practices.
While substantial compliance with approved days and modes of operation has been noticed in the markets, a brazen and flagrant disobedience of these simple regulations by sellers and hawkers of non-essential item have also been noted”.
On sales of non-essential goods, he commented on some sellers up till now, remain deviant to government’s directive to stay home. According to him, “this particularly has to do with sellers and buyers of second-hand clothing and other fabrics, cosmetics, phone accessories and others in same category, especially in Akure, the state capital and other city centres”.
In his remarks, “For those in this category, who in defiance, insist on endangering the lives of others for their own selfish gain, let me use this opportunity, for the umpteenth time, to appeal to you to comply with the laid down regulations. It is for your own good.”
The Governor charged the people in question to take the safety of their lives more important than their self gratification as no one for now, needs to buy for luxury.
