The Ekiti government on Friday ordered the closure of all public and private schools, including higher institutions, from Monday over the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Kayode Fayemi, in a state wide broadcast to the people of the state in Ado-Ekiti, also prohibited public gatherings of more than 20 persons.
These also included religious gatherings in worship houses.
Also affeced are social gatherings such as burials, weddings, family meetings and parties of any kind.
Similarly, political gatherings, including rallies, congresses and ward meetings among others were also banned.
“All non-essential workers in private and public sectors are encouraged to work from home from Monday, March 23,” he said.
He said that these include civil and public servants from level 12 and below; except on essential services like health workers, caregivers, social welfare officers, fire service officers, emergency response officers, and security guards/watchmen in public institutions.
According to him, government officials are, however, advised to keep their phone lines open as they may be required to come to the office when needed.
“No overloading of passengers in public transportation with effect from today, Friday.
” Commercial vehicles must henceforth ensure only one person is sitting in the front seat with the driver and not more than three passengers on a row in the backseat.
“Okadas must also carry only one passenger each to minimise close contact as much as possible.
“Unnecessary travels in and out of Ekiti State are hereby discouraged at this time.
“While we cannot totally shut down the state, we must minimise unnecessary traffic especially from out-of-state so we can protect our citizens from further importation of the virus and also protect the rest of the country by minimising the exportation of any virus which may be present in Ekiti State.
“All public places must provide hand washing implements at the entrance and exit of their facility.
” A running tap with safe drainage or a veronica bucket with running water and liquid soaps or hand sanitisers must be made available at motor parks, eateries, banks, shops, offices and any place with significant human traffic to encourage frequent hand washing.
“Market men and women must practise hand washing under running water with liquid soap at least six imes a day in their stalls.
“This is to minimise the transfer of virus picked up in the process of buying and selling. Citizens visiting markets must ensure they wash their hands with soap under running water as soon as they leave the market before they get home” he said.
The governor warned that all orders would remain in effect until further notice.
Fayemi, who heads the Ekiti Coronavirus-19 Taskforce, said it had reviewed the situation within the past 24 hours and had no option than to take the steps.
He said the state contact tracing team had identified 42 direct and indirect contacts of the imported Ekiti index case, most of whom he said came in contact with him in the process of managing the illness which took him to the hospital.
“However, none of the contacts showed any symptom and are all being observed under self-isolation.
“In the next 14 days, their samples will be collected and sent to NCDC for testing and we will update the public on the results and any further developments as we receive them,” he said. (NAN)
