By Mayowa Olumuyiwa
The Ondo State government has cancelled crossover vigils usually held in Churches across the state ahead of the new year.
The state government also postponed the resumption of pupils and students in primary and secondary schools to Monday, 18th January, 2020.
According to the Chairman, Ondo State Interministerial Committee on Coronavirus and Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, “The Committee has had extensive interaction with various stakeholders, physically and virtually, on the need to take proactive measures against the second wave of COVID-19 and as such the state is working assiduously to ensure it records no substantial case during the second wave of the pandemic, while imploring people to pay due attention and observance to the precautionary measures put in place to safeguard them.”
Fatusin made the declaration at a press briefing organised by the Interministerial Committee in Akure.
The Vice-Chancellor further said, “No church service organised in respect of the new year celebration must exceed 10pm until further notice, in line with federal government directive on curfew.”
He outlined other guidelines to include: government and business offices shall continue to open, with strict compliance of COVID-19 precautionary measures; no primary or secondary school in the state shall resume until 18th January, 2021; markets shall continue operations but with heightened enforcement of COVID-19 precautionary measures; night clubs and relaxation spots must not operate beyond 10p.m; picnics can operate but in open space and adherence to COVID-19 protocols; while anybody above 60 years of age or with existing ailment(s) are strongly advised to remain indoor and disengage from joining any social gathering.
The Chairman also added that government will begin to carry out strict monitoring of all these guidelines, likewise, it will continue to interact with religious leaders, markets associations, media, unions and other critical stakeholders in the fight against the pandemic.
Fatusi however noted that by January 2021, the state will begin strict enforcement of the law that guides against the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in the state, affirming that the law states three months imprisonment, or payment of twenty thousand naira fine or both for offenders.
He noted that effective mechanism will be put in place for the total enforcement of the law in Ondo State, even though there will be continuous social engagement, public education, among others.
While making addendum to Fatusi’s statement, the Acting Commissioner for Health and Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Health, Hon. Jibayo Adeyeye, appealed to the media, particularly private media, to cooperate with the government in its bid to curtail the spread of Coronavirus in the state, calling on the media to support the government.
In his words, “We must see war against Coronavirus as a corporate responsibility and must do everything to educate, inform and sensitize the public about its dangers,
“States must support the federal government’s determination to curb the spread of the pandemic, as such it is a collective fight that requires the input of everyone, domestically and corporately.”
