COVID-19: Ogun Govt Imposes Restriction On Large Gatherings

The Ogun State government has imposed new restrictions on large gatherings in the state.

The state governor, Dapo Abiodun, made this known on Thursday after meeting with religious leaders from the League of Imams and the Christian Association of Nigeria as well as community leaders at the Government House in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Abiodun noted that the latest restrictions are meant to curtail the spread of the virus in the state during the yuletide celebration. The governor noted that all street carnivals, crowded crossover service, parties, and similar gatherings in the state are hereby restricted to 50 persons.

He added that all religious centres are directed not to exceed 50 percent of their capacity and must obey all COVID-19 protocols. The governor asked the centres to maintain social distancing and observe all COVID-19 protocols, including the use of face masks, provision of hand sanitiser, and/or hand-washing equipment at every strategic point.

The governor asked Muslims to perform ablution at home and go to the Mosque with their personal praying mats, adding that all worship centres should provide adequate toilet facilities with water for their congregants.

Abiodun also directed all civil servants and other government workers in the State to proceed on Christmas and New Year holidays from Thursday, December 24 to January 4, 2021.

Speaking further, the governor directed that all markets are to open strictly between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m and ordered transport operators not to carry passengers above 50 percent of their capacity, in compliance with social distancing rules.

Naija News recalls that the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 had imposed five weeks restriction on large gatherings to curtail the spread of the second wave of COVID-19.

Boss Mustapha, the PTF Chairman, and also Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made this known at the national media briefing in Abuja.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari has authorised the PTF to engage with the states and FCT to deploy legal structures and resources, including enforcement, to manage the pandemic within their jurisdictions.

The fresh directives followed the official declaration of the second wave of COVID-19 in the country.