Ondo State Government has banned the December 31 crossover services in churches and mosques across the state.
The Chairman, Ondo State Inter-Ministerial Committee on Coronavirus and Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi disclosed this at a press briefing organised by the committee in Akure, on Wednesday.
Fatusi said no church service organised in respect of the new year celebration must exceed 10pm until further notice, in line with federal government’s directive on curfew.
He also said the state government has postponed the resumption of students in primary and secondary schools in the state to Monday, January 18, 2020.
According to him, the committee had extensive interaction with various stakeholders, physically and virtually, on the need to take proactive measures against the second wave of COVID-19.
While imploring people to pay due attention and observance to the precautionary measures put in place to safeguard them, he said the state is working assiduously to ensure it records no substantial case during the second wave of the pandemic.
He outlined other guidelines to include: government and business offices shall continue to open with strict compliance to COVID-19 precautionary measures; markets shall continue operations but with heightened enforcement of COVID-19 precautionary measures; night clubs and relaxation spots must not operate beyond 10pm; picnics can operate but in open space and adherence to COVID-19 protocols; while anybody above 60 years of age or with existing ailment(s) are strongly advised to remain indoor and disengage from joining any social gathering.
The chairman said government will begin to carry out strict monitoring of all these guidelines and will continue to interact with religious leaders, markets associations, media, unions and other critical stakeholders in the fight against the pandemic.
Fatusi also noted that by January 2021, the state will begin strict enforcement of the law against the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in the state, stating that the law provides for three months imprisonment, or payment of N20,000 fine or both for offenders.
He noted that effective mechanism will be put in place for the total enforcement of the law in Ondo state, adding that there will be continuous social engagement, public education, among others.
Speaking, the acting Commissioner for Health and Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Hon. Jibayo Adeyeye, appealed to the media, particularly private media, to cooperate with the government in its bid to curtail the spread of Coronavirus in the state.
He called on the media to support the government by seeing war against Coronavirus as a corporate responsibility and must do everything to educate, inform and sensitise the public about its dangers.
Adeyeye opined that states must support the federal government’s determination to curb the spread of the pandemic, saying: “It is a collective fight that requires the input of everyone, domestically and corporately.”
