Ogun To Enforce Nose Masks Wearing, As Abiodun Cancels Relaxation Window From Saturday

Governor Abiodun with a nose mask

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji

ABEOKUTA - Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has declared that his administration will soon commence strict enforcement of wearing of face masks in the public as part of measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus in the state. 

Governor Abiodun equally said the current relaxation window of the ongoing lockdown in the state between the hours of 7.00am and 2.00pm every other day will be reviewed from. Saturday.

The governor stated this was in a statement issued in Abeokuta by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin.

According to the statement, the relaxation window, which was authorised by the state government to allow for essential business activities, will cease from this week.

The governor enjoined the citizens and residents of the state to endure the 14-day extension of the lockdown in the state by President Muhammadu Buhari and consider it a necessary sacrifice to defeat the deadly disease.

He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has created an unusual challenge to strike a delicate balance of need for public safety and welfare of the citizenry.

Abiodun said: “We must deny the virus the vital supply chain required to decimate humanity by complying with all the social distancing measures and maintaining personal hygiene.

“Therefore, the current window of relaxation of the lockdown in the state from 7.00am to 2.00pm, which follows the same pattern of last week, will still be available for this Wednesday (15th April) and Friday (17th April, 2020) only. This is to allow the residents prepare for the extension of the lockdown and restock on food and other essential items. However, Ogun State borders remain closed.

“It should be emphasised that people should only go out if they need to and are required at all times when outside their homes to wear a face mask, including locally made face masks, even as they observe other social distancing measures.

“The state will soon commence strict enforcement of wearing of face masks in the public as it has been shown to help flatten the spread of the virus.”