Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun has given the reason for extending the lockdown in the State, explaining that the increase in the number COVID-19 cases and non adherence to measures put in place to flatten the curve of the spread of the virus were responsible for the extension.
Governor Abiodun who gave the explanation while speaking to journalists at the weekend in Abeokuta, the State capital, expressed worry at the flagrant disobedience by members of the public, transporters and their passengers to wear face mask, as well as market men and women, who conduct their businesses without observing social distance.
“Inspite of several warnings and concerted efforts of our security agencies, a number of our people have continued to flout the measures put in place to flatten the curve of the virus. Some residents still come out to the public without the use of face masks, or the use of it in a way that does not shield their mouths and noses”, he noted.
The Governor decried a situation, where ‘’some drivers keep face masks in their vehicles and give to their passengers when they board their vehicles and collect same when the passengers disembarked’’, describing the habit as capable of accelerating the spread of the pandemic in the State.
He said ‘’the State had 100 positive cases last week, but the number has increased to 134, due to additional 34 positive cases recorded in the last one week, which represented an increase of more than 30 percent’’.
The State, according to the Governor, currently has 70 active cases, 59 discharged, while five death were recorded, attributing the spike in the increase of positive cases to expanding testing capacity at 450 per day and disregard to safety measures.
He said the State would adopt a modified protocol, where treatment would commence immediately on patient while awaiting test results, saying this would help contain the spread, as people usually disappeared without waiting to know the outcome of their test.
The State helmsman disclosed that, 108 violators of the lock down and presidential curfew were apprehended and prosecuted at the mobile court, with varied sanctions ranging from payment of fines and community services, adding that 517 vehicles, 109 motorcycles and six tricycles were seized by security agents.
On the lock down of the State, Prince Abiodun said, “in view of the evidence of community transmission and poor compliance with the lock down measures, we are constraint to retain our current ease of lock down, meaning that what is currently obtains this week will repeat next week”, he explained.
He said the lock down would last till May 24, and follow the same pattern which allows from relaxation window from 7 o’clock in the morning to 5 o’clock in the evening on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, warning however that, ‘’the daily 8pm to 6am curfew and inter-state travel ban, as imposed by the President still stands’’.
