Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado Ekiti
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Monday warned that any vehicle that violates the lockdown directives run the risk of being forfeited to the state government.
This new directive was contained in a Covid-19 Implementation Guidelines released by the government and signed by Secretary to the State Government, Hon Biodun Oyebanji, as the state government eased the lockdown imposed on Ekiti.
Reading the guidelines at a covid-19 update press briefing, the Information Commissioner, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, said ban placed on interstate travels still subsist while vehicles seized will be forfeited to the state government.
Fayemi clarified that the lockdown was not totally removed, saying the residents can enjoy freedom of movement on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 7am and 4pm, while the curfew earlier placed between 7pm and 6am still subsists.
“All the major markets like Oja Oba, Shasha, Bisi in Ado Ekiti remain closed. Vehicles conveying agricultural products and those engaged in farming will be allowed to move freely with valid identification.
“Schools still remain closed down indefinitely. Compulsory use of face masks still operational while those arrested at the borders will be quarantined for 14 days at their own expense”.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Mojisola Yaya- Kolade, disclosed that the three new cases of Coronavirus recorded in Ekiti were healthcare workers, who contracted the disease from the 29-year-old pregnant woman, who died two weeks ago.
“The three new persons have been evacuated from their homes and put in our isolation centre. They are currently asymptomatic and we are very lucky, because they had only four contacts. We have seen them and their blood samples have been taken.
“Seven laboratory results are being awaited and we are expecting them. COVID-19 is under containment in Ekiti. There is no community spread. All those that have been infected were traceable to someone”.
The Director General, Office of Strategic Transformation and Delivery, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, said restriction is still being placed on religious gatherings in the state, saying only the burials are exempted, which he said can only be attended by 20 persons.
“Markets remain one of the places where COVID-19 are contracted, so all major markets are closed down, beer parlours, recreational centres are also closed for the next two weeks”.
Aluko charged the traditional rulers in border towns to institute community policing to work with security agencies to checkmate influx of people from neighbouring or far states into Ekiti.
“This is very important because the border towns will first to be ravaged by the disease if it break out in Ekiti,” Aluko warned
