Alarmed that the rampaging COVID-19 has spread to Osun State, and determined to check its further onslaught on his people, Governor Gboyega Oyetola has ordered a total lockdown of the state for two weeks with effect from midnight, Tuesday, March 31, 2020
He also directed all the land borders into the state shut from midnight, Sunday, March 29, 2020.
Going by the records of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Osun State recorded its first virus case on Saturday. Of the eight cases newly announced for the country on Saturday, one came from Osun State.
The eight new cases by Saturday shot the total confirmed infections in the country to 89 according to the Centre which made the disclosure known via its Twitter handle on Saturday.
It tweeted: “Eight new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria, seven in Lagos State and one in Benue.
“As of 04:00 pm on 28th of March, there are 89 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria with one dead.
“For a breakdown of cases by states in real time, Lagos currently has 59 cases, FCT – three, Ekiti – one, Oyo – three, Edo – two, Bauchi – two, Osun – one, Rivers – one, Enugu – two, and Benue – one.”
In a statewide broadcast on Sunday morning, the governor warned that there would be no movement within the State during the shutdown except by those on essential duties such as health personnel, fire service, environmental officials, security personnel, power and water supply agencies, media and telecommunication officers. Also, pharmaceutical and medical outfits will be allowed to open.
He said the decision is imperative in view of the devastating nature of the pandemic, adding that the first priority of any responsive and responsible government is to respond effectively to protect its citizens when an emergency occurs.
Oyetola who expressed sadness over the latest incident, reiterated that the decision remained the only way to go if the State is to contain the spread of the disease.
He said: “Following a review of our current situation, we have in addition to the subsisting measures taken in the past one week, decided to shut down all our boundaries, effective from midnight Sunday, March 29, 2020. In addition, a complete lockdown of the State will come into effect from midnight, Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
“We believe this is the way to go if we must contain the spread of this virus. To this end, we urge citizens and residents to take advantage of the hours between now and Tuesday to stock up provisions that will last them two weeks in the first instance.
“During the lockdown, there will be no movement within the state. The closed boundaries also means there will be no inter-state movements. However, those on essential duties such as health personnel, fire service, environmental officials, security personnel, power and water supply agencies, media and telecommunication officers will be on duty. Also, pharmaceutical and medical outfits will be allowed to open.
“We have mandated and mobilised the State’s taskforce and security operatives to enforce measures to the letter. We, therefore, strongly advise our people to remain in their homes during the period of the lockdown.
“When an emergency occurs, such as the one at hand, the first priority of any responsive and responsible government is to respond effectively to protect its citizens. This is what we will continue to do.”.
The governor urged the residents not to panic by the new measures but continue to adhere to the government’s instructions and directives on the need for them to continue to observe necessary precautionary measures, including regular washing of hands with water and soap and also maintain the prescribed social distancing.
