COVID 19: Ogun: Residents Lament After Lockdown Extension

By Tosin Olatokunbo

No respites yet for Ogun state residents as the state government has extended the lockdown in the state for another one week as a measure to control the spread of COVID-19.

Some states, Borno, Yobe and others have already suspended the lockdown, allowing religious and other business activities to operate unhindered.

Neighbouring Lagos state has partially relaxed the lock down.

But Governor Dapo Abiodun said the decision, as painful as it’s will further enable the state to flatten the curve of the novel pandemic.

He said the lockdown would be relaxed on Sunday, May 24, blaming poor compliance with safety measures by residents for his decision.

Abiodun said while addressing journalists “In view of the evidence of community transmission and poor compliance with the lockdown measures, we are constrained to extend the lockdown by another week till Sunday 24th of May.”

The current pattern of lockdown with relaxation windows from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday continues.’

He said the compliance level among the residents will determine government’s next line of action on the issue.

“We will continue to monitor the level of compliance with the lockdown measures and incidence of community transmission and hopefully, there will be positive developments that will enable us further ease the lockdown at the end of this new lockdown period,” he said.

Recall that the first COVID 19 index case was traced to the state, prompting President Muhammadu Buhari to announce a total lock down of Ogun, Lagos and Abuja, the FCT in March.

Meanwhile, some residents who spoke with the magazine said they expect the government to unwind the lock down soon because of the negative impacts on their daily and economic endevours.