Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has imposed fresh restrictions to safeguard public health following a spike in the cases of COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Fayemi who reeled out new guidelines to curb the second wave of COVID-19 in a state broadcast on Wednesday evening said the step became necessary to ensure that the situation does not snowball out of control.
He said strict instructions have been given to the task force and law enforcement agents to begin aggressive compliance enforcement of the new rules in public places.
Affected by the latest restrictions are worship centres which have been directed to return to one service on worship days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday and they are to do so at half of the sitting capacity of the worship centre.
The governor directed that schools in the state will remain closed till January 18 while vigils, partying and clubbing are suspended till further notice.
Fayemi also directed that civil servants on grade level 12 and below are to stay at home till January 18 when they would be directed on when to resume back at their desks.
Government officials, he noted, are to discourage in-person meetings as much as possible and no government official must been seen in the public without wearing face masks.
According to him, protocols regarding wedding and burial ceremonies remain in force. He also directed that there should be no crowd in the church auditorium and burial services must be at the graveside only.
Supermarkets, event centres, hotels and bar owners, he added, are to strictly ensure that social distancing measures are put in place and followed accordingly.
The governor said only half of the full sitting capacity of a facility can be allowed to participate in any ceremony/programme at any point and activities should not exceed 8pm.
“We understand the importance of this season in our religious life as a people, we however must prioritise public health above other considerations; therefore, we expect churches to observe the service in strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols such as hand washing, use of hand sanitisers, observation of the approved social distance and to allow only half of the sitting capacity of the church to partake in the service,” Fayemi said.
