Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has directed that all schools in the state be shut down until further notice as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
He also announced the prohibition of gathering of more than 20 persons in places of worship, social clubs, political gathering, joints and night clubs in the state with immediate effect.
The governor gave the directives in a state-wide broadcast on Friday, where he addressed Ekiti residents on the incidence of reported case of Covid-19 in the state and measures being put in place to contain its spread.
Fayemi also encouraged non-essentials workers in both private and public sectors to work from home starting from Monday with exception of senior civil and public servants on grade levels 13 and above, health workers, caregivers, social welfare officers, fire service officers, emergency response officers, security guards in public institutions and those on other essential duties.
The governor also directed that commercial drivers must ensure only one person sits in the front seat with the driver and not more than three passengers on a row in the backseat, while commercial motorcyclists must carry only one person each to minimise close contacts as much as possible.
He further instructed that all public places must provide hand washing implements at the entrance and exit of their facility, adding that “a running tap with a safe drainage or Veronica bucket with running water and liquid soaps or hand sanitisers must be made available at motor parks, eateries, banks, shops, offices and places with significant human traffic to encourage frequent hand washing.”
The governor urged traders to practise hand washing under running water with liquid soap at least six times a day in their stalls. This, according to him, would minimise the transfer of virus picked up in the process of buying and selling.
Fayemi, who said the state would do everything humanly possible to ensure the virus was contained, appealed to the public to shun unnecessary travels in and out of the state in order to minimise importing and exporting of the virus.
He said the resolve of the state to effectively combat the spread of the virus led to the establishment of a 40-man taskforce under his chairmanship, earlier in the month.
While expressing appreciation to medical practitioners for being alive to their responsibilities, Fayemi stressed the need for residents to continue to take self-preventive measures by washing their hands with soap and water or using hand sanitisers; covering their mouth with disposable tissue or into their curved elbow when coughing or sneezing. He added that it is also important to observe social distancing by avoiding crowded gatherings as well as alert the authorities of any suspected case.
The governor disclosed that the State Contact team has established 42 direct and indirect contacts of the imported Ekiti index case and “none of the contacts showed any symptoms and are all being observed under self-isolation.”
He said: “In the next 14 days, their samples will be collected and sent to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for testing and we will update the public on the results on any further developments as we receive them.”
