Ogun extends total lockdown by a week

The Ogun state Governor, Princ Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that the lockdown in the state occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic will end on May 9.

The governor while addressing journalists at his Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta, also announced that the lockdown in the state has been extended by one week.

The governor equally, adjusted the relaxation window by adding three hours to the seven hours allowed residents of the state before the new announcement.

He explained that his decision was in line with the order of the President Muhammadu Buhari.

He therefore, advised the people of the state to adhere strictly to recommendations of professionals during the relaxation window.

He said: “In line with Mr. President’s address to the entire nation, the lockdown is still in place.

“However, the lockdown will begin to be relaxed gradually and in phases from May 4, in consideration of the peculiarity of the different states.

“To this end, our relaxation window remains May 4, May 6 and May 8. The new time frame will however, now be from 7am to 5pm on those days.

“This will give our people ample time to conduct necessary economic activities and to get to their various homes before the commencement of the daily curfew as directed by Mr. President.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the curfew is from 8pm to 6am every day and will be strictly enforced.

“It is obvious that no nation can survive a total lockdown of economic activities for an elongated time and therefore, all we can do is to strike a balance between public health safety and economic welfare of the citizenry.

“No doubt, this is a fragile situation. Therefore, it is very important that all of us adhere strictly to recommendations of professionals during this delicate period, especially, and at all times, as we go about our daily economic activities.”

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The governor reiterated that the use of face masks is now compulsory in public, revealing that the state government has procured over one million face masks that are being distributing across the state to groups.

“The COVID-19 task force at a meeting with market leaders set up COVID-19 enforcement committees in our various markets.

“These enforcement committees have been empowered to enforce physical distancing, the use of face masks and the deployment of hand washing facilities, and hand sanitizers at strategic locations within our various markets.

“Let me emphasize that those handling food items must also wear hand gloves and maintain high level of personal and hand hygiene in addition to wearing face masks,” Abiodun stated.