(Ilorin)
Residents of Kwara State must use face mask in public places, keep physical distancing or stay indoors, beginning from Friday July 24 or risk arrest and prosecution.
Duaglobalnews reports that the state government which handed down the warning on Monday,traced the spike in cases of COVID-19 in the state, largely to people not adhering to safety protocols.
The government added that violators of the latest directive include shop owners and drivers of commercial or private vehicles, adding that punishment for disobeying the directives would commence from July 31.
According to it, culprits would be tried under the Kwara State Infectious Diseases Regulations 2020.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and Spokesman of the State Technical Committee on COVID-19,Rafiu Ajakaye, disclosed this at a news conference in Ilorin.
He said told a news conference that government was disturbed by the rising cases of the novel Coronavirus in the state and would spare no effort to flatten the curve and protect the people.
He added that government would meet with the leadership of the Muslim community on July 22 to discuss the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha — a period of mass gathering and celebration —and agree on the safest way to curb further spread of the virus.
Ajakaye said both Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and his Deputy, Kayode Alabi, had undergone test for the virus which came back negative, adding however that few workers in Government House had tested positive for the virus and are being managed at the infectious disease centres.
He said:”As at Sunday, July 19, we have recorded 585 confirmed cases of COVID-19.Out of this, 367 are active while 204 have been successfully managed and discharged to rejoin their families. We have also recorded 14 deaths so far.
“As uncomfortable as this is, we want to place on record that, our management of the pandemic is one of the best in the country and we are working to do much more.
“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.
“These include 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 to the public health but also to public resources and infrastructure which are already being stretched.
“Whereas, 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 from Friday,July 24, 2020, nobody will be allowed into any public building, markets, malls, transport, banks and so on I
the state withoutt proper use of the face masks, as a safety measure to lessen the transmission of the virus.”
Meanwhile, report from Ekiti State said that the Traffic Management Agency (EKSTMA) on Monday, arrested over 100 motorists for refusing to wear facemask.
Duaglobalnews recalls that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Fapohunda, on Friday announced that commuters and Okada riders and other citizens, who refused to put on the mask or carry any violator from Monday, July 20, would be arrested and prosecuted.
The General Manager, EKSTMA, Chief Femi Olanrewaju, led the operatives’ operatives to enforce the directive which led the arrest and prosecution of the offenders.
He said the offenders would have been prosecuted in line with the laid down rules, but got pardon because of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s respect for the people of the state.
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