Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Tuesday slammed a dusk to dawn curfew on the state as part of efforts to check further spread of the deadly Coronavirus in the state.
He announced the indefinite curfew which would be in force between 7.00 pm and 7.00 am, just as the state recorded its third case of the pandemic’s victim.
At a press briefing in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday, the governor warned that an additional case would inevitably lead to a total lockdown of the state.
He said that more stringent measures had to be put in place to ensure compliance with the regulations passed to control the spread of the infection; warning that anyone who flouts the directives would be arrested and detained.
He said that the curfew which took effect from Tuesday April 14, became imperative because of the frightening dimension of COVID- 19 in the state; adding that the latest case has a tendency for community transmission.
Akeredolu said: “My dear people, I am addressing you today because of the frightening dimension our vulnerability as a people is assuming.
It is clear from this particular case that unlike the previous two which were conveyed from outside the state, the current case is within our state with a tendency towards community transmission.
In simple terms, we are now faced with the stark reality that COVID -19 may be transferred among families, workplaces, markets, places of worship, social gatherings and others within Ondo State, anytime without restriction and notice.
To this end, I have directed further sterner measures to enforce compliance to these regulations. These are: Imposition of curfew from 7 pm to 7 am everyday with effect from today 14th April, 2020 until further notice.
• Arrest and detention of individuals found to have breached government’s directives on restriction of movement of persons and goods, operation of business premises and community markets, religious gatherings and public bars and other social activities within the state. The only exceptions are where food and medical items are sold with total compliance with social and physical distancing.
• Arrest and detention of individuals and goods being transported into Ondo State through our borders in breach of extant directive on total closure of the borders. The only exceptions allowed are for purposes of obtaining food, seeking emergency lifesaving or chronic medical attention or obtaining security pass for such journeys in accordance with our Regulations.”
Clarifying further, Akeredolu said: “For avoidance of doubt, the current case is not currently a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as earlier announced. He is an employee of the Nigerian Army Barracks who served as a medical practitioner in the same facility in the year 2017 and was retained.”
He said that government is fully conscious of the pains and frustrations being currently experienced by the people, as a result of the existing restrictions and limitations, especially by those whose daily survival depends on daily wage such as menial workers, artisans and traders.
According to him, the food palliative measures which the state has commenced distributing are to further alleviate the difficulties and pains of the people.
