Governor Kayode Fayemi has imposed a curfew on peoples’ movement in Ekiti State Monday 30th March till the 12th of April.
It is dusk dawn curfew from 7 am to 7 pm, and also total lock-down and closure of state border with immediate effect.
Text of the Address by
His Excellency
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria
on the occasion of the address titled:
WE MUST DO MORE TO PREVENT AN OUTBREAK IN EKITI
STATE
at
Government House, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
on
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Ekiti-kete,
1. On
Friday, March 20th 2020, I addressed you on the global scourge of the novel
coronavirus named COVID-19 and its presence in Ekiti State as well as on the
immediate actions we were taking to prevent the virus and curtail its spread.
2. I am
glad to report that as at this morning, Ekiti State has not recorded any
additional case of confirmed coronavirus patient while our single patient is
doing very well in our isolation center, still without showing any symptom. We
are hopeful that his repeat test will come back negative so he can be
discharged soon.
3. I also
want to acknowledge the patriotic residents who have acted responsibly in
public interest by complying with the initial guidelines issued in my broadcast
as part of our strategy to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Ekiti State.
However, it is very disappointing that some of us have either been lukewarm,
nonchalant or downright defiant in observing the simple but extremely effective
preventive actions of hand washing with soap under running water, coughing into
the inner elbow and maintaining social distancing to protect themselves from
infection and curtail the spread of the virus in their communities.
4. While
I acknowledge our resilient nature, incurable optimism and spiritual activism
as a people, it is critical that we balance these with pragmatic and urgent
actions that can ensure the safety of lives for our families and communities.
Unlike any other infection, the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus is a type the
world has never seen, so there is no verified cure or medication to manage the
effects of an infection. The only proven means of defeating this lethal enemy
of the human race is PREVENTION. And these preventive steps must be taken
individually and collectively for it to be effective.
5. With
the devastating impact this virus is having on more developed countries like
the United States, United Kingdom, China, Italy, Spain and over 140 countries
across the world, it is very clear to us that Nigeria, and especially Ekiti
State, cannot afford a breakout of this virus on a large scale as we do not
have the resources, human and financial, to cope with a surge in positive cases
of the coronavirus infection.
6. If we
do not take steps necessary to contain this virus, it has the potential to
overwhelm our health infrastructure, cripple our economy and devastate Ekiti
State in unimaginable proportions. As you are aware, the State is under
significant financial constraints especially as a direct consequence of the
impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and the price of crude oil that
has gone down considerably. So, we cannot afford a public health crisis.
7. It is
in urgent public interest that we must ensure strict compliance with all
directives given to prevent community spreading of the disease. Therefore, in
our collective interest and to further ensure the safety of Ekiti-kete, having
declared Coronavirus (COVID- 19) an infectious disease in Ekiti State, I
hereby, in pursuant to Section 8 of the Quarantine Act, Laws of the Federation
of Nigeria 2004 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999
(as amended) impose a curfew of movement in Ekiti State.
8. The
purpose of this curfew is to impose restrictions on the movement of persons and
goods within Ekiti State for an initial period of fourteen days. This is in
order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in Ekiti State.
9. Therefore,
effective from 23H59 (11:59pm) on Monday, March 30, 2020 until 23H59 (11:59pm)
on Monday, April 13, 2020, there shall be restriction of movement across the
length and breadth of Ekiti State, with all our borders closed. That is a full
and total shut down of Ekiti State, and a 12-hour dusk to dawn curfew in Ekiti
State from 7:00pm – 7:00 am. All Ekiti residents are hereby directed to STAY –
AT – HOME.
10. We are
implementing the Quarantine Act to keep all Ekiti residents safe. So let me be
clear. If you do not go home or stay home for at least fourteen (14) days as
from Monday, 30 March, 2020, you could face serious fines or prison term.
11. RESTRICTED
MOVEMENT: During this period, movement between local governments is prohibited;
movement between towns, villages and communities is also prohibited; every
person shall be confined to the place where he or she ordinarily resides in
Ekiti State.
12. EXCEPTIONAL
MOVEMENTS: Those who are performing essential services will be allowed to move
around, particularly health workers, but must be duly designated with an
identity card by the Head of their Institutions. Individuals and institutions
providing the following services shall be exempted from the restrictions:
i. Members
of the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary;
ii.
Production, distr ibution and
marketing of food and beverages,
pharmaceuticals, medicine, paper and plastic packages
iii. Environmental and sanitation activities
iv. Staff of electricity, water,
telecommunications, e-commerce
and digital service providers;
v. Members
of security agencies assigned on lawful duties;
vi. Staff of Banks and similar financial
institutins;
vii.
Staff of
fuel stations.
13. MARKETS
/ BUSINESSES CLOSED: All businesses and other entities shall cease operations
during this period except those involved in the provision of essential goods or
services. Markets, retail shops and shopping malls must be closed, except where
essential goods are sold and with strict hygienic conditions to prevent the
exposure of persons to COVID-19.
14. PROHIBITED
GATHERINGS: Religious gatherings e.g. worship and prayer services, night
vigils, house fellowships and NASFAT meetings; Social gatherings e.g. Funerals,
weddings, family meetings and parties of any kind in night clubs, bars, beer
joints; and Political gatherings, e.g. rallies, congresses, ward meetings. All
of these are prohibited activities under these regulations.
15. EXCEPTIONAL
GATHERING: Only gathering in respect of funeral will be allowed but the attendance
shall be limited to 20 persons with no night vigil or party.
16. CLOSURE
OF BOUNDARIES: All boundaries of Ekiti State are closed during this period,
except for transportation of fuel, food and drugs and other essential goods.
All non-residents who arrive the State prior to, or after, the imposition of
this restriction, and who remain in the State, must remain in their place of
temporary residence in the State for the duration of the 14 days, as the case
may be, and may be subjected to screening for COVID-19 and be quarantined or
isolated if necessary.
17. PROHIBITION
OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT: All commuter transport services including bus services,
taxi services, motor bikes (Okada) and tricycle services (Keke), is prohibited;
except those for purposes of rendering essential services, obtaining essential
goods, seeking medical attention, funeral services and to receive payment of
social grants or food: Provided that such vehicle carries not more than 50% of
the licensed capacity and all directions in respect of hygienic conditions and
the limitation of exposure of persons to COVID-19, are adhered to.
18. PENALTIES:
Any person who contravenes these regulations shall be guilty of an offence and,
on conviction, liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding
six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
19. Ekitikete,
this administration is fully aware of the inconvenience these directives will
have on our daily lives and livelihoods but it is the sacrifice we must all
make to remain healthy and alive. To make this a little easier for us all, I
hereby announce the following palliative measures especially for our high risk
and vulnerable citizens.
a. March
salaries have been paid last Thursday, 26th March so that civil and public
servants can stock up on food and essential items necessary for the Stay-At-Home
period. This was despite the fact that the FAAC disbursement for March was
significantly lower than our salaries and many other states have found it
difficult to pay March salaries. We are however hopeful that subsequent months
will not fail, though the implications of the global economy are not very
encouraging as IMF formally announced that the world is now in recession due to
the coronavirus pandemic.
b. I have
directed that the Ekiti State Food Bank be reactivated immediately to provide
food items to the poor and vulnerable families in our communities. The Task
Force will announce the modalities as soon as the process is fully activated.
c. The
State Government will consider providing a stipend to our self-employed citizens whose daily income
will be interrupted at this time as subsidy for their loss of income. I have
directed the Commissioners of Finance and Budget to advise on the amount the
State can afford in view of our dire financial constraints.
d. We
shall commence the disinfecting of major public places like markets, bus stops,
motor parks, health facilities, and all likely places where the virus may be
lurking across our State. Already, a massive cleanup and disinfection is
ongoing in some locations in Ado Ekiti e.g. Atikankan, Irona and Oja Oba areas
and I am aware some Local Government Chairmen are already taking initiatives to
dredge and clear drains within their jurisdictions.
e. Massive
advocacy and sensitization is ongoing to advise you on the necessary preventive
measures and how to identify and manage the symptoms of COVID-19 as well as
what to do when you notice symptoms of fever, coughing, diarrhea or difficult
breathing. Please remember that anyone can carry the coronavirus even if they
do not have any of these symptoms; that is why you must wash your hands
regularly and abstain from bodily contact at this time
f. To
protect our senior citizens who have been proven to be most vulnerable to this
deadly virus please do not visit your elderly parents or family at this time to
prevent the risk of infecting them. If they live with you, please keep them
separate as much as possible. Do not let them share common household items like
plates, spoons, towels, soaps at this period. We must keep them safe and
healthy as much as we can.
20. Ekitikete,
it is necessary to let you know that though this virus is deadly, a positive
result is not a death sentence. Anyone showing symptoms is most likely going to
get better but may be very sick for some time, depending on the capacity of
his/her body to fight the infection. Instead of stigmatizing anyone with
symptoms, they should be cared for in accordance with medical advisory while
the caregivers must ensure they protect themselves from being infected. Please
call the Emergency Number 112 or 09062970434, 09062970435 and 09062970436 if
anyone around you is showing symptoms, but first, isolate them from the rest of
the family.
21. I have
also directed the Ministry of Health to begin the process of establishing a
second isolation center in Ado Ekiti. We currently have a 10-bed Isolation
Center but we must begin to increase our capacity up to 100 beds with necessary
medical equipment required to manage suffering patients. We have also ordered
more PPE for our medical personnel to protect them from infection while caring
for the sick.
22. This
war against the coronavirus COVID-19 is a global one. Nigeria is just joining
this global battle and we are doing everything possible nationally and at state
levels to protect our citizens from this deadly virus. However, a time like
this calls for better coordination among all stakeholders – Federal, State,
development partners and private sector in order to stem the tide of this
pandemic. One area that States have been speaking with one voice is the
importance of ramping up on testing. The World Health Organisation (WHO)
advisory is to test, test and test. We need the Federal Government to
accelerate the establishment of more testing centres whilst at the same time allowing testing to be done
by private laboratories and also give approval for the use of quick test-kits
as a way of halting community spread of
the virus.
23. Another
key request of States is that the Federal Government enable a joined-up
strategy for addressing the economic implications of the pandemic by providing
stimulus for those likely to be affected by loss of income and to States and
Local Governments directly hit by the impact of the measures taken.
24. This
is a very expensive battle, especially for us in Ekiti State, where we can
barely meet our regular obligations. I have therefore been holding meetings
with development partners, philanthropic bodies and federal agencies to assist
us in preventing an outbreak in Ekiti State by providing access to some of the
support available nationally. We have also set up an Ekiti State COVID-19
PANDEMIC SUPPORT ACCOUNT with UBA Current Account Number 1022752067 for
donations towards our efforts in this regard.
25. I want
to thank all our citizens and political leaders who are providing hand
sanitizers and information leaflets to their constituents as a way to sensitize
and educate them on this virus. We encourage everyone to do all they can to
ensure awareness, compliance and prevention in every farmstead and community in
Ekiti State. While the state government will continue to do all we can, every
family, community, kingdom and local government must also take responsibility
for their area of jurisdiction. All hands must be on deck to defeat coronavirus
in Ekiti State. It must be our collective responsibility.
26. Ekiti-kete,
this indeed is a trying period, not only for our State or Nation, but for the
whole world. I therefore plead for your understanding and tolerance as we
jointly fight and defeat this monster, COVID-19.
27. As a
government, to save the lives of Ekiti-kete is our topmost priority. Hence, it
is my plea to you to continue staying wherever you are now within Ekiti State.
28. The
coming days are definitely going to be unusual and somewhat unpleasant, but if
this is what it takes to ensure our collective safety, I urge you all to
cooperate with the government and make the sacrifice.
29. The
measures we are taking now have been taken by more advanced and technically
prepared government, all in the quest to curtail the spread of coronavirus and
protect the life of the citizenry.
30. Coronavirus
is not a respecter of persons, many highly placed persons have been infected
all over the world, including in Nigeria. If you or anyone has been in contact
with anyone who just arrived from abroad in the past 7 days, please call the
emergency numbers immediately.
31. You
will recall that I also went into self-isolation after I submitted myself to be
tested for coronavirus. I thank you most sincerely for your concern and
prayers, while I waited for my result which eventually came out negative.
32. I must
confess that the period of waiting for the result of my test was a difficult
moment for me. As a responsible leader, my thought was not about my result, but
about people around me and those I have made contact with. The palpable fear of
someone being infected through me was more tormenting than my own personal
wellbeing.
33. On
this note, I implore you to let us take responsibility for our life and the
lives of those around us. All the helplines already given out are active and
will respond in case of an emergency.
34. The
Taskforce will continue to update you on the efforts we are taking to curtail
the spread of this virus as earlier announced. Please avoid spreading rumors or
unauthorized medical tips. There are no known cure for COVID-19 globally yet so
please do not endanger your life by taking any concoction that will harm you
out of fear.
35. Ekitikete,
this is not the time to be fearful or panic stricken. COVID-19 is not a death
sentence. We are not helpless against it if we are resolved to prevent it. Keep
all the preventive measures, stay at home and maintain social distancing.
Government is determined to ensure we stop its spread. You also must be
determined to do your part.
36. Once
again, I plead for your usual support and understanding, and pray that at the
end of it all, we will have cause to rejoice and congratulate ourselves for
taking necessary precautions.
37. Alale
Ekiti a ja ko a o!
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor
Ogunrinde Amos
