Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Tuesday declared indefinite curfew and restriction of movement in the State to check further spread of COVID-19.
Akeredolu while addressing newsmen at Government House ground in Akure, said the curfew will be between 7pm and 7am daily across the 18 local government areas if the state.
The governor accompanied by Heads of Security chiefs, said the third case of Coronavirus in the state was very unfortunate, adding that the government would be strict with application of various directives against coronavirus pandemic.
Akeredolu said “today, we took more stringent measures to ensure compliance to the regulations we passed in order to control the spread of COVID-19 in Ondo State.
“Henceforth we will be imposing a curfew from 7pm to 7am everyday with effect from today 14th April, 2020 until further notice.
“We will arrest and detain 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 to social and physical distancing rules.
“We will arrest and detain 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 passes for such journeys in accordance with our regulations.
“The point must be made again that the fight against #COVID19 is a responsibility that will demand utmost seriousness & vigilance. There is the need for effective measure of containment, investigation, enforcement and control. We will not shy away from our duty to ensure same,” Akeredolu said.
The Governor stressed that the state becomes more vulnerable as the third case is within the state with a tendency towards community transmission.
Akeredolu disclosed that he has also directed other sterner measures including 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.
According to the Governor, only exceptions are where food and medical items are sold with total compliance with social and physical distancing.
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.
According to the Governor, 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.
Governor Akeredolu said the food palliative measures which the state had commenced distributing was to further alleviate the difficulties and pains of the people.
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