COVID-19: Ekiti laments upsurge, begins enforcement of regulations

  Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Tuesday lamented the spike in the number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 in the la...

 

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Tuesday lamented the spike in the number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last six weeks.

Fayemi, who said the figures of 180 positive cases comprising 95 for July and 85 for the first few days of August were unacceptable, said, “It is imperative for us as a state to enforce our existing COVID-19 regulations more strictly to safeguard the health of our people”.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Filani, said, “It is my duty to inform you that Ekiti State is experiencing an unwelcome increase in the number of COVID-19 confirmed positive cases.

“We are obviously experiencing the third wave with more cases than we experienced in the second wave in March 2021. As we enter another phase in the fight against this virus and with the transmission of the dreaded Delta variant in-country, there is, even now, a greater demand on all of us to take personal responsibility.

“Residents are advised to take personal responsibility for their protection while going about their daily duties, by observing preventive measures of washing of hands frequently with soap under running water, wearing face masks, and maintaining social distancing.

“We are constrained to respond to this development with the following non-pharmaceutical control measures, which remain our best means of containing the pandemic in the state”.

These, he said, included previous ban on large gatherings of more than 50 persons except on approved worship days will now be fully enforced. Social, political or business gatherings must not exceed 50 persons and must comply with prevention protocols of six-feet social distancing, face masks and hand washing. 

“Temporary restrictions starting from Friday August 13, 2021, for Muslims and Sunday August 15, 2021, for Christians. All gatherings must be held in strict and full compliance with the regulations regarding worship centres. Schools should be fumigated and kept safe for our students before reopening. While major markets and businesses remain open, the COVID-19 regulations must be put in place in such spaces.

“Commercial transporters must comply with strict social distancing directives. Motorcycles (Okadas) can only carry one passenger, taxis not more than three passengers and tricycles not more than two passengers and all hotels must ensure that they provide hand washing stands at their entrances and ensure their guests always wear facemasks,” the governor said.

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