Our correspondents
The Ondo state government said on Wednesday that it had canceled crossing services in churches across the state, between December 31st and January 1st, as part of efforts to curb the spread of the second wave of COVID-19.
The government has also postponed the resumption of student work in primary and secondary schools from Monday, January 4, 2021, to January 18, 2021.
Chairman of the State Inter-Ministerial Committee Ondo for COVID-19, prof. Adesegun Fatusi, he said in Akure, the state capital.
According to him, the committee had extensive interaction with various stakeholders on the need to take proactive action against the second wave of COVID-19.
Fatusi said, “No church service organized to celebrate the New Year should be longer than 10pm in accordance with a federal government directive on curfew.
“The government and business offices will continue to open, in strict compliance with COVID-19 precautions; no primary or secondary school in the country will continue until January 18, 2021, the markets will continue to operate, but with increased enforcement of COVID-19 precautions.
“Nightclubs and places to relax are not allowed to work after 10pm; excursions can work outdoors and adhering to the COVID-19 protocol; while everyone over the age of 60 or those who already have the disease is warmly recommended to stay indoors. “
Fatusi, who is also vice chancellor of Ondo University of Medical Sciences, said the government would enforce all guidelines.
Abiodun limits attendance to the crossbreeding service
In the same vein, the Ogun state government on Wednesday announced the suspension of street carnivals and limited attendance to interception, entertainment and similar gatherings services.
Governor Dapo Abiodun also ordered all civil servants and other government employees to continue on the Christmas and New Year holidays from Thursday, December 24 to January 4, 2021.
They are contained in the statement of the Secretary General of the Governor’s Press, Mr. Kunlea Somorina.
The directives were announced Wednesday after a meeting between the state government and religious leaders, as well as community leaders.
The statement reads in part: “The governor has ordered that all schools in the state remain closed until January 18, 2021, while all bars, nightclubs, pubs and event centers, recreation centers in the state are also closed indefinitely.
“The governor further ordered that all markets be opened strictly between 8:00 and 16:00, maintaining social distance.
“Governor Abiodun further ordered that religious and worship centers should not exceed 50 percent of their capacity. All services must also comply with all COVID-19 protocols.
“To stop the spread of the second wave of the disease, Abiodun advised that there should be no gathering of more than 50 people at any event or ceremony, such as conferences, congresses, office events, concerts, seminars, sports activities, passing nights, parties at the end of the year. , weddings, appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, street carnivals until further notice. “
Kwara imposes a partial lock
Also, the Kwara state government on Wednesday imposed another state lock from 12 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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State Commissioner for Health, dr. Raji Rasaq, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Technical Committee for COVID-19, said, “Until further notice, there will be a partial lock-up across the country between 12 and 4:30 p.m.
“These new guidelines will take effect on Thursday, December 24, 2020.”
Other measures announced by the committee include the mandatory use of face masks in public places, while concerts, carnivals and clubbing are banned until further notice.
He added, “Worship centers must not allow congregations to exceed 50 percent of the maximum capacity of the venue to allow for physical distancing.
“Civil servants should work from their homes. The only exception is basic workers, especially in the health sector. Virtual meetings are encouraged. “
The FCT closes bars, parks for five weeks, restricts churches and weddings
Similarly, the minister of the federal state of the capital, Malam, Muhammad Bello, ordered that all bars, restaurants, amusement gardens and event centers be closed for five weeks.
He also directed that informal and formal ceremonies, including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, sports activities and year-end events, are limited to a maximum of 50 people.
Raising from an emergency COVID-19 meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the minister equally ordered that churches and mosques should not have more than 50 percent of believers, noting that social distancing and mandatory use of face masks and hand hygiene must be strictly enforced.
“Executive teams have a mandate to arrest violators and prosecute them through a mobile court system,” Bello said.
This is contained in a statement by Chief Press Minister Anthony Ogunley, entitled, ‘The FCTA is setting new guidelines on controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the territory.’
The minister said employees of the FCT Board and six regional councils of grade 12 and below will work from home for the next five weeks, adding that heads of various secretariats, departments and agencies are responsible for complying with regulations.
The administration also ordered all schools in the FCT to stay on vacation until January 18, 2021.
‘We will not lock the plateau’
In connection with these developments, the Plato state government said on Wednesday that there is no plan to lock the state due to the second wave of COVID-19.
The government made the statement in Jos during a meeting with stakeholders, including local government presidents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and health professionals.
A statement from the director of the press and public affairs, Macham Makuta, says that the meeting, convened by Governor Simon Lalong, was still chaired by the Secretary of State, Prof. Danladi Atu, who is also the coordinator of the state working group for COVID-19
Atu said the meeting adopted some measures on COVID-19, including that all public gatherings, such as places of worship, should reduce attendance to 50 percent of their capacity.
He said, “The meeting also banned all cultural festivals in the state, while face masks should be held in all public places. Social distancing, hand washing and other protocols must also be respected.
The secretary of state said security reports available to the government indicate that criminal elements are planning attacks on some communities during the yuletide season.
Atu said, “The state government is working with security agencies to be more proactive, not reactive.”
Ekiti imposes new restrictions
Also, the governor of the state of Ekiti, dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday announced new restrictions to combat the second wave of COVID-19 in the state.
Fayemi said on a state show on Wednesday: “The government is very upset by the increase in numbers and its implications for our fragile health facilities and economic well-being.”
While recognizing the importance of the Juletida season in the religious life of Nigerians, he said: “However, we must prioritize public health over other considerations; therefore, we expect churches to observe the service in strict accordance with the COVID-19 protocols.
That, he said, included washing hands, using hand sanitizers, respecting the approved social distance and allowing only half of the church’s seated capacity to participate in the service.
According to him, strict instructions were given to the working group and law enforcement agents to start aggressive law enforcement activities in public places, including places of worship, events, markets, supermarkets, bars and hotels.
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“I have ordered all schools to remain closed until January 18; and I have also ordered civil servants of grade 12 and lower, meanwhile, to stay at home until January 18 when they will be instructed when they can resume work, ”Fayemi added.
Edo reintroduces curfew, closes schools
In the same vein, the Governor of the State of Edo, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, announced on Wednesday’s show the reintroduction of restrictions and the reactivation of disease control and management protocols to combat the second wave of COVID-19.
Obaseki noted that in accordance with the directive of the Federal Government, the state adjusted its curfew to start from 12 midnight to 4 o’clock a day, starting from December 23, except December 31, 2020.
According to the governor, all schools in the state will remain closed until January 18, 2021.
He said, “Wearing a protective mask is mandatory in public places; the number of people attending religious, political and social gatherings in one place should be drastically reduced; people are advised not to be patrons or to enter any public facility without a hand washing station that has soap and running water. “
Staff lower than 12 to work from home – N’Assembly
The National Assembly administration says it has asked workers in grades 12 and below to start working from home in accordance with a Federal government directive.
The Director of Information for the Federal Parliament, Mr. Rawlings Agada, stated this in an interview with our correspondent.
He said, “The National Assembly also reproduced a circular issued by the head of the Federal State Service and we ordered that it be pasted on the committees with advertisements. It is a national directive and we must ensure compliance. ”
Agada said that the leadership of the National Assembly and the administration will meet to determine whether the institution should be partially locked in accordance with the decision made during the first lock.
Federal lawmakers resumed the five-week Christmas and New Year holiday on Monday after a special plenary session at which they passed the Appropriation Act for 2021.
Until Sunday Aborisade, Adelani Adepegba, Peter Dada, Daud Olatunji, Tunde Oyekola, Abiodun Nejo, Adeyinka Adedipe and James Abraham
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