Coronavirus: Edo Government to enforce lockdown

The Edo State Government has announced that it will begin enforcing a lockdown in the state from today March 27.

Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu made the announcement on Thursday evening, during a press briefing on measures the state has instituted to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Shaibu who disclosed that civil servants who were asked to stay at home are still moving about in the state, stated that enforcement of the lockdown became necessary due to the partial compliance in the state.

He said;

“We went round the city, we have discovered that there is partial view compliance with government directive on lockdown and we are reiterating that only those on essential duty are allowed to move about within the state.

“All shops and markets that are not selling food should remain locked and by tomorrow, we have asked the law enforcement agencies to enforce this government directive of all of us sitting down at home and not moving around.

“We have also discovered that most of the civil servants and workers that were asked to stay at home are moving about.

“That was not the intention. The intention is that they stay at home, and staying at home will help us to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Please and please, we need you to stay at home, unless there is a serious emergency.

“We are presently contact-tracing 111 persons, and you staying at home will help us to reduce this number.”

Shaibu added that in line with international best practice, enforcement of seating guidelines in public buses will also begin on Friday.

The Deputy Governor said;

“By tomorrow (Friday), government and law enforcement agencies will be on the streets to enforce these seating guidelines for all our transport vehicles.

“The seating arrangement for cars is: one passenger in front and two at the back. For buses, the rule is:one passenger in front and two in each role.

“All transporters are mandated to ensure correct information on manifest. Manifest must be made available to government on daily basis.”