Ekiti to confisticate vehicles breaching lockdown, says Fayemi

To underscore his seriousness to the containment of COVID-19 in Ekiti state, Governor Kayode Fayemi has declared that any vehicle that violates the lockdown directive will henceforth be forfeited to the state government.

This was contained in a COVID-19 implementation guidelines released by the government and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji, on Monday, as the governor eased the lockdown imposed on the state.

Reading the guidelines at a COVID-19 update press parley, the Information Commissioner, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, said inter-state travels have been prohibited while vehicles seized will be forfeited to the state government.

Fayemi clarified that the lockdown was not totally removed, saying 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,” he stated.

Speaking at the press parley, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mojisola Yaya- Kolade, revealed that the three new cases of coronavirus recorded in the state were healthcare workers, who contracted the virus from the 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 assymptomatic 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 treaceable to someone,” the coommissioner explained.

Director General, Office of Strategic Transformation and Delivery, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, said the restriction placed on religious gatherings in the state still subsists, saying only burials are exempted, which can only be attended by 20 persons.

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“Markets remain one of the places where COVID-19 is contracted, so all major markets are closed down, beer parlours, recreational centres are also closed for the next two weeks,” he added.

Aluko charged traditional rulers in border towns to institute community policing to work with security agencies to checkmate the influx of people from neighbouring or other states into Ekiti.

“This is very important because the border towns will be the first to be ravaged by the disease if it breaks out in Ekiti,” Aluko warned.

Aluko said incessant cases of compromises at the borders had been reported to the security agencies and efforts have been intensified to rectify such practices.