By Olawale Jokotoye
The Ogun government has announced ban on gatherings that would bring 50 or more persons together in the same place in the state.
The announcement was made through a statement issued in Abeokuta by Mr Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dapo Abiodun.
According to Somorin, the ban takes immediate effect for the next 30 days in the first instance and covers gatherings in places like cinemas, night clubs, restaurants, cafes and sport arenas.
Somorin said the ban was meant to compliment measures so far taken by the government to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the state.
“The restriction has to be enforced without prejudice to people’s fundamental rights to association and movement, because safety of our people and their welfare are priorities that cannot be toyed with.
“The government will continue to engage all the stakeholders including religious leaders to sensitise the populace on the need to maintain social distance and collective effort to combat the pandemic.
“The Ogun government will continue the surveillance initiatives and intensify sensitisation on COVID-19.
“This is more so given the peculiarity of its location as the nation’s gateway state and industrial capital.
” Our epidemiologists and other health workers are working round the clock with federal agencies and international development agencies to stop the spread of corona virus.
“In view of the recent confirmed cases in the country, Gov. Abiodun reassures the populace that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that the state is prepared at all times to respond appropriately,” he said.
Somorin further encouraged people to maintain a high level of suspicion and report any suspected case to the appropriate authorities.
