As the Nigeria Center for Disease Control confirmed two more cases of coronavirus in Oyo State, the Government has ordered a dusk to dawn curfew and closure of all markets across the state.
In a series of tweets on Saturday, Governor Seyi Makinde said only those selling food items will be allowed to sell their products, while he has also suspended inter state movement from and to Oyo State.
The Governor said the measure becomes necessary as the NCDC has confirmed two more cases of COVID-19 in the state. He added that the measure will be reviewed on weekly basis.
The statement reads, “The COVID-19 confirmation test for two suspected cases have come back POSITIVE. The isolation process has been initiated. 84 Persons of Interest have been identified, and contact tracing and collection of samples have commenced.
“The state’s diagnostic centre set up in collaboration with the University College Hospital is now ready. The @NCDCgov certification is still pending but the Director General of NCDC has made a pre-statement about the molecular laboratory in Oyo State.
“The index case remains stable and is still under observation in the isolation unit at Agbami Chest Centre, Jericho. The number of confirmed cases in Oyo State is now three.
“As a result of this, I have directed that the following additional measures be put in place: a dusk to dawn curfew (7 PM to 6 AM); no gatherings of more than ten people should be held anywhere in Oyo State.
“From Sunday night, March 29, 2020, all markets will be closed except those selling perishable food items.
“Also, inter-state transportation into and out of the state will be suspended except vehicles carrying food items, medical, pharmaceutical and petroleum products. This takes effect from Sunday night, March 29, 2020. All measures will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
“As part of our COVID-19 sensitization programme, over 30,000 handbills in English, Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa have been produced for distribution.
“We thank NPG Farms and Hatcheries for their donation of 1000 X 100 ml and 100 X 500 ml hand sanitizers to Oyo State. These will be distributed in markets from tomorrow.”