CORONAVIRUS: Ogun extends ban to worship centres, schools
EHIME ALEX, Lagos
Ogun State Government has extended ban on high-density gatherings to included both public and private schools, as well as religious centres and activities in the State to help contain global spread of the coronavirus.
According to release signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Ogun State Governor, Mr Kunle Somorin, all schools in the State would 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 to avoided with immediate effect.
These measures would be reviewed at regular intervals in response to development surrounding the coronavirus, the state government said.
It urged that parents and guidians, whose children and wards are in boarding facilities within the State, to as a matter of necessity return them home at the close of schools on Friday, March 20, 2020.
The State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, according to the statement, expressed appreciation to religious leaders for their advice, understanding and support, in the search for solution to the pandemic, as well as their pledge to observe all safety measures in the overall interest of the people.
The Governor further emphasized the need to observe global best practice of social distancing as a way of curtailing the spread of the virus, recommending that as much as possible, people should minimize contact with others and maintain a distance of, at least five feet from one another in public places, public transportation and avoid high-density gatherings, while nonessential travels should be limited.
He called for the understanding of parents, school owners and the entire citizenry to comply fully with all laid down measures and offer useful information on the COVID-19 challenge, which would be responded to appropriately.
Noting that people should maintain a high level of personal hygiene and surveillance, he added that suspected cases should be reported to the nearest Primary Healthcare Centre (PHCs) in all the 236 wards in the State or the Emergency Operations Centre on COVID-19 by telephone on 08188978393 or 08188978392.