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I salute your resilience, cooperation and collective resolve to keep Ekiti State free of this pandemic since this global challenge surfaced in Nigeria in February 2020. This is the seventh time that I would be addressing you since the break out of COVID-19 Pandemic in Ekiti State, in fulfilment of my promise to constantly update you on the progress we have made together, and the new path that we must tread, as we collectively fight this insidious but deadly disease.
I have now received the recommendations from the stakeholders and would like to thank all religious leaders of the dominant faiths, unions of teachers and principals, private school owners as well as the Parents’ and Teachers’ Association (PTA) representatives who served tirelessly on these committees to arrive at a consensus on how to return Ekiti to normalcy in a responsible, sustainable and sensitive manner, while not compromising the gains of months of excruciating sacrifices by the people.
We have also tried to work in tandem with the national protocols on COVID-19 as coordinated by the Presidential Task Force and the leadership of the NCDC to ensure that Ekiti State does not contradict the national containment regulations.
By the current assessment of the situation and the advice of the experts, we have decided to proceed as follows:
RESTRICTIONS: Free unhindered movement will continue Mondays -Fridays only from 6:00 am to 8:00pm daily while Dusk to Dawn Curfew will be enforced 8:00pm – 5:59 am seven (7) days a week.
There shall continue to be a restriction of movement at weekends (Saturday and Sunday) until July 19, subject to the conditional relaxation of church attendance on Saturdays and Sundays.
INTERSTATE TRAVEL: In conformity with the Federal Government directive, the ban on travel to and from Ekiti State is hereby lifted except during the Dusk to Dawn curfew daily.
LARGE GATHERINGS: The ban on large gathering of more than 20 persons except on approved worship days continues. Social, political or business gatherings like parties, burials, meetings, bars, viewing centers, sports meet must not exceed 20 persons and must comply with prevention protocols of 6-feet social distancing, face masks and hand washing. Government will be extremely strict in enforcing this ban as shown in the recent shutdown of a church during a burial ceremony in Ise-Ekiti last week that violated the ban and the officiating minister was arrested.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES: As jointly agreed with the leadership of the faith community, religious worship centres may resume controlled services from Friday July 17, 2020 starting with worship services once a week; Friday Jumat for Muslims and Saturday and Sunday Services for Christians. This is however subject to strict and full compliance with the regulations regarding worship centres which includes social distancing of 6-feet between worshippers, hand washing and face masks. Maximum capacity of each building should be determined with the six feet social distancing principle and the number must be conspicuously displayed outside the building. A Taskforce will go round to assess the level of compliance and issue a Certificate of Readiness before centres can reopen. Details of the regulations will be available on the State COVID-19 app and website www.covid19.ekitistate.gov.ng as well as with the leadership of the faith community. Any worship centre that violates the laid down protocols will be shut down and the cleric prosecuted.
SCHOOLS: Similarly, efforts are now in top gear to ensure our children return to school from July 20, 2020 as recommended by the interface between the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and all stakeholders in the education sector. However, this might be in phases starting with students in terminal classes (SS3, JSS3 and Primary 6) to prepare for their exams. Other classes will be gradually absorbed as schools meet all requirements to accommodate them safely and responsibly. A certificate of Readiness showing that a school has adhered to all the conditions required for school reopening will be issued to all schools before they can reopen.
SCHOOL SANITATION: On the part of government, apart from setting the general standard for both the private and public schools to reopen, we are embarking on a quick rejuvenation of our schools to ensure that basic facilities such as water, sanitizer, soap and other facilities to aid hygienic practices are in place. I have also directed that all the schools should be fumigated and kept safe for our students before reopening. Our school reopening plans are without prejudice to the ongoing engagement at the national level.
MARKETS: Subject to compliance with the protocols on the operation of large markets, Oja-Oba and Oja Bisi in Ado-Ekiti will now be open to lock up shops only. Facemasks, social distancing and hand washing will be strictly enforced in all markets in Ekiti State.
Street trading, makeshift stalls, kiosks and open display of wares in the market are totally prohibited. Traders who do not have permanent shops in these markets are advised to move to Awedele Market where more stalls have been prepared for use. Market leaders should contact necessary authorities on how to secure stalls for affected traders.
COMMUNITY SPREAD/FACEMASKS: Now that we are in phased reopening of the economy, the risk of community spread is very high. Regrettably, it has been observed that many people are now living with a sense of false security by not adhering to the personal safety measures in public, such as the use of face masks, hand-washing or hand-sanitizers and maintaining social distancing. This is the time to take personal responsibility for you and your family’s safety and health as contact tracing can no longer eliminate the risk of infection.
GOING FORWARD: Facemasks in public places will now be strictly enforced. I have directed the Security Agencies and the Ministry of Justice to arrest and prosecute any person caught in public places without wearing the face masks appropriately, covering the nose, mouth, and chin.
The COVID-19 Prevention Regulation is still in force and anyone caught in violation will be punished in line with the regulations. I was particularly disappointed with the unfortunate news that many of our people were holding funeral, wedding, and birthday parties in flagrant disregard to public safety and in defiance to the ban on such gathering.
It has also been sadly observed that outside the State capital, people in other towns and villages do not take the preventive measures seriously, they hardly wear face masks nor observe any social or physical distancing, living as if they are invincible or have some immunity against the virus. Such deceptive self-confidence could be catastrophic and must stop in our own interest.
COMMUNITY TESTING: Ekiti Kete, following the successful establishment of our own Mobile Molecular Laboratory and successful trials, we will begin our random community testing starting with Ikere Ekiti Local Government on July 1, 2020 and moving from local government to local government according to a time-table that has already been drawn. The random tests will enable us to determine the level of community infection in our local governments. The health workers will also provide health checks for our vulnerable senior citizens to ensure any co-morbidity like high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes is well-managed and under control. I therefore appeal to you all to cooperate with the medical team when they come to your home or community. As I stated in my last broadcast, there is nothing to be afraid of in taking the test as I have taken it myself. I appeal to our traditional, religious and opinion leaders to help us mobilise our people by volunteering themselves for the test.
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
