Good people of Ogun State, highlighted below are updates on our COVID-19 containment strategies, facilities, and lockdown relaxation modalities:
1. Let me present available statistics within the last one week (21st – 27th May, 2020). Ogun State experienced a 32% increase in confirmed cases, with 59 new reported cases, bringing the total number to 242. While it is remarkable that 12 individuals (12% increase) were discharged within the week, making it 109 total discharges, leaving us with 133 active cases, I am pained to announce that in the same period, we lost 3 people to the virus. May the Almighty comfort the families of the 9 departed persons and heal the active cases on our hands.
2. Even as we have already tested 1,562 people out of the 10,900 people so far screened, a better future is here. The NCDC during the week accredited Nigeria’s first fully state-funded Molecular Lab in Sagamu, which has since commenced full operations and increased our daily testing capacity to 650. While this is commendable on the part of government, I must say the recorded level of compliance from the people is not encouraging. So far, we have arrested and prosecuted 235 violators in mobile courts and impounded 64 vehicles for defiance to travel and curfew restrictions. These violations have been reflected in the 2nd phase of the lockdown easing, which as I indicated in my last briefing, begins on Monday, 1st June, 2020, as advised by our science professionals, statistics and feedback.
3. The 2nd phase of the lockdown easing will be guided by the following, in line with the extant guidelines of the COVID-19 PTF, being that Ogun State is affected by the FG’s lockdown directive:
A. Relaxation windows will now be observed on all 5 working days (Monday to Friday), but the FG-directed curfew from 8am (morning) to 6pm (evening) remains in place on these days. Total lockdown will be maintained on Saturday and Sunday.
B. Extant restrictions and advisories remain in place on interstate travels, wearing of facemasks, public transport, markets, religious centres, restaurants and other relaxation spots. This implies that all forms of gatherings (social or religious) of more than 20 people remain banned.
C. Industries are advised to comply with the “Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for
Workplaces in Ogun State to Combat COVID-19” jointly issued by the Ministries of Health, and Industry, Trade and Investments.
D. A Task Force we have now set up will be conducting random checks on industries and other enterprises to ascertain compliance.
4. This further easing of the lockdown will allow us all more time to run our businesses and return to an almost usual life, but only if we follow the guidelines above. This reminds us that this is mere easing and not a full reopening of the economy, so I encourage as many of us that can continue to work and meet online and remotely from home to continue to do so. We will not condone acts of violation even under the guise of work, as these are a threat to our collective wellness.
5. I remain grateful to our frontline workers in health, security and the media for their efforts. I will also continue to appreciate private individuals and corporate organisations for their many donations to this fight against our common enemy.
#COVID19 #BuildingOurFutureTogether
