The Ogun State Government, on Thursday, announced closure of all private and public schools as well as ban on all religious gatherings above 50 persons in the state
The announcement was made through a statement issued by Mr Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun.
The state government had on Wednesday placed ban on gatherings that would bring 50 or more people in the same space in the state.
The government emphasised that the ban covered gatherings in places like cinemas, night clubs, restaurants, cafes and sport arenas.
Somorin, in a fresh statement on Thursday, however, announced that the restrictions have been extended to schools and religious centres in the state.
“Due to the global spread of the coronavirus and the recent ban of all high-density gatherings in Ogun, the state government wishes to clarify that the ban affects all private and public schools as well as all religious activities in the state.
“Consequently, all schools in the state will remain closed indefinitely after school hours on Friday, March 20, 2020.
“Also, all religious centres and activities including regular and special services that bring together 50 or more persons in the same place are banned with immediate effect.
“These measures will be reviewed at regular intervals in response to the development surrounding the Coronavirus disease.
“The Government, therefore, enjoins all parents and guardians, who have their children and wards in any boarding facility within the state, to immediately evacuate them and return them to their respective homes at the close of schools on Friday.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun thankfully acknowledges and appreciates religious leaders for their advice, understanding, solidarity and support as we jointly search for solution to the pandemic and for their cooperation to observe all safety measures in the overall interest of our state and common humanity,” he said.
Somorin emphasised the need to observe global best practice of social distancing as way of curtailing the spread of the pandemic.
He also recommended that as much as possible, people should minimise contact with others and maintain a distance of at least five feet between one another in public places or in public transportation.
He further stressed the need for people to limit nonessential travelling whilst avoiding high-density gatherings.
“Governor Abiodun pleads for the understanding of parents, school owners and the entire citizenry to comply fully with all laid down measures and for them to offer useful information for the state to respond appropriately to the COVID-19 challenge.
“The governor further encourages people to maintain a high level of personal hygiene and surveillance.
” Governor Abiodun has directed that suspected cases should be reported at the nearest Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in all the 236 wards in the state or the Emergency Operations Centre on COVID-19 by telephone on 08188978393 or 08188978392,” he said.
