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Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has asked workers in the state civil service to proceed on a two weeks break, to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state.
The governor disclosed this on Wednesday while giving update on the coronavirus situation in the state.
He said the two weeks break will commence on Friday, March 27, 2020, adding that only workers rendering essential services will be required to report for duty.
“We still have one confirmed case of Coronavirus in Oyo State, the Bodija case, who is receiving treatment at the isolation centre – Agbami Chest Centre, Jericho, Ibadan.
“Additional numbers have been added to the Emergency Operations Centres Helplines. Please call these numbers for any issue related to Coronavirus; 08095394000 / 08095963000 / 08078288999 / 08078288800
” The returnee from the USA in Oluyole Local Government Area is still asymptomatic. She has completed her 14-day self-isolation period (March 8-22), ” Makinde said.
The governor stated that new guidelines on public transportation have been issued by the Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation to ensure proper hygienic standards and social distancing. He noted that all transport operators and park managers are to provide at the entrance to their respective parks or garages, hand washing facilities with soap and running water, adding that they are to provide alcohol-based sanitizers in their vehicles for the use of drivers, conductors and passengers.
He said: “Standing is prohibited in public mass transit buses and there must be a minimum of one seat interval between passengers. Tricycles are limited to three passengers and commercial motorcycles are limited to one passenger only.”
Makinde further stated that enlightenment campaigns on Coronavirus in English and Yoruba languages have commenced in the media, adding that street to street public announcements using megaphones have also commenced in the rural areas.
He said the government has received reports of a few private schools flouting the directive for closure of schools. The governor noted that a task force from SUBEB, TESCOM and the Ministry of Education have been authorised to take appropriate action against any school flouting this directive.
“Any school acting in breach of the directive can be reported by calling the Emergency Operations Centre Helplines; 08095394000 / 08095963000 / 08078288999 / 08078288800.
“The Ministry of Health met with religious leaders to ensure compliance with the directive that gatherings are limited to a maximum of 30 persons. They also met with stakeholders in the hospitality industry to ensure compliance with the directive that nightclubs remain closed,” Makinde added.
The governor enjoined everyone to work with his administration and do everything in their power to practice social distancing, saying “with commitment and the grace of God we shall conquer this.”