Worried by the incessant rate of Covid- 19 pandemic in Kwara, residents in the state have been warned to use face masks in public places, keep physical distancing or stay indoors to prevent further occurrence of the virus.
Rafiu Ajakaye, chief press secretary to the Governor and Spokesman of the State Technical Committee on COVID-19 who gave the warning while briefing journalists in Ilorin by the state capital, explained that the government is disturbed by the rising cases in the state and would spare no effort to flatten the curve and protect the people.
Ajakaye, however, directed that residents must comply with the protective measures by going out with face mask, keeping physical distancing among other things beginning from today (Friday July 24th).
The government added that violators of the latest directive — including shop owners and drivers of commercial or private vehicles —risk arrest and prosecution from July 31st under the Kwara State Infectious Diseases Regulations 2020.
Ajakaye informed that both Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and his Deputy, Kayode Alabi have undergone test for the virus which came back negative, adding that a few workers in Government House have tested positive and are being managed at the infectious diseases centre.
He says: “As at today (Wednesday, 22nd July), Kwara has 672 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Out of this, 414 are active while 244 had since been successfully managed and discharged to rejoin their families. We have also recorded 14 deaths so far.
“While testing of more samples has played a key role in the spike of the figures, the truth is that most of our people are simply not complying with safety measures put in place including physical distancing and the use of face mask despite the earlier mass production and distribution of face masks to members of the public.
“The rising cases represent a grave danger to not just public health but also to public resources and infrastructure which are already being stretched. Whereas the government is doubling up its advocacy across all media platforms, including jingles and radio programmes, the time has come for everyone to take full responsibility and act more responsibly as we confront this pandemic.
“Consequently, effective this Friday 24th July, 2020, nobody would be allowed into any public building, markets, malls, transport, banks and so on without their proper use of the face masks as a safety measure to lessen the transmission of the virus.
“By Friday July 31st, 2020, however, the government would commence strict enforcement of the Kwara State Infectious Diseases Regulations 2020. Thenceforth, anyone seen outside without proper use of the face mask will be arrested, prosecuted in a mobile court, and taken to any of our quarantine centres
“Their samples will then be taken and they will be held until their status is known. We want to emphasise that shop owners or business managers, drivers of commercial or private vehicles who allow persons without face masks into their shops or vehicles would be arrested alongside offending passengers and be taken to quarantine centres, have their samples taken and be held until their result is out.
“Fellow Kwarans, let us act more responsibly. COVID-19 is real. His Excellency and his deputy have both undergone their own tests. The two of them have tested negative. But a few members of staff of Government House, as you may be aware, have tested positive to the virus. Let us stay safe by abiding by all the safety protocols.”
