Covid 19: Schools, Worship Centres reopen in Ekiti July 17

By Ayodele Oni

Subject to fulfillment of some laid down protocols, worship centres in Ekiti State may resume for services as from Friday, July 17th.

This is in line with the agreement reached by the state government with leaders of religious organisations in the state.

Governor Kayode Fayemi, who disclosed this on Tuesday in a state-wide broadcast on the next stage in the State’s COVID-19 Response said arrangements are in top gear to ensure that pupils and students return to school from July 20 as recommended by stakeholders in the education sector.

The two largest markets in Ado Ekiti, according to the Governor, will now be open to lock-up shops only subject to compliance with protocols stressing that street trading, makeshift stalls kiosks and open display of wares in the said markets remain banned.

The Governor also announced that the state government has taken a N2.5 billion Life Insurance cover of N2 million each for 500 frontline medical personnel involved in COVID-19 assignment in addition to the prompt payment of COVID-19 special allowances to qualified cadres.

Apparently disturbed by the increasing refusal of residents to wear face masks in public which he said could spike community transmission of the disease, Dr. Fayemi said security agencies and Ministry of Justice have been directed to arrest and prosecute any person caught in public places without wearing the face mask appropriately covering the nose, mouth and chin.

Dr. Fayemi disclosed that school resumption from July 20 will be in phases starting with students in terminal classes, SS3, JSS3 and Primary 6, to prepare for their exams while other classes will be gradually absorbed as schools meet all requirements to accommodate them.

The Governor stated further that he had directed that all schools be fumigated and kept safe for students before they reopen.

Dr. Fayemi pointed out that free unhindered movements will continue Monday to Friday from 6.00am to 8.00pm while dusk-to-dawn curfew will be enforced  8.00pm to 5.59am seven days a week.

“There shall 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.”

The Governor expressed concern that some residents are now avoiding hospitals for treatment of ailments that are not associated with COVID-19 because of the fear that they might be held down or could be infected.

“Our laboratory has now been fully installed and functional and we have increased testing in our communities.

“As at today, we have conducted additional 417 new tests and recorded 23 positive cases.

“In all, since we started combating COVID-19, Ekiti State has tested 567 persons and recorded 43 cases. Currently, we have 13 active cases, two deaths, while 28 patients have been successfully treated and discharged.

“We have seen many prominent personalities who could afford any medical care that money could buy, succumb to the virus. That is why we cannot afford to be complacent or fatalistic about it.