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General News of Monday, 30 March 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

COVID-19: Ogun suspends total lockdown till 3rd of April

Ogun State Governor - Dapo Abiodun Ogun State Governor - Dapo Abiodun

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has said that the state will now go into total lockdown on April 3 over the coronavirus outbreak to better prepare for the period.

Although the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Retd), announced a two-week lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja, governor Abiodun said that the state needed to postpone its lockdown.

He, however, added that in line with the president's order, international borders and inter-state movement would be closed down from 11 pm on Monday.

Governor Abiodun made the announcement while declaring open the Ogun State COVID-19 Isolation and Response Centre open for use.

He said, “After consultation with the Presidency, the inter-state and international borders would be closed by 11pm on Monday night.

“However, the total lockdown of the state would be effective from 11pm, Friday, 3rd of April 2020.

“I have been in consultation with the Presidency and I’ve requested that they graciously allow us in Ogun State to prepare for this lockdown in terms of ensuring that we have enough food banks across the three senatorial districts so that when eventually there is a lockdown, our people will have enough food supply and they graciously accepted.”

Governor Abiodun revealed that the lockdown would constantly be reviewed, adding that people were free to move around only in their neighbourhoods to get essential items.

“These decisions would be kept under constant review, we may lapse them if the evidence makes it compelling.

“The decisions are without prejudice to the need of people to reasonably move within their neighbourhood to buy essentials such as food and drugs,” Governor Abiodun said.

He appealed to the people to abide by the government’s order and advisory provided by the Ministry of Health on respiratory hygiene and social distancing.

Nigeria has recorded at least 131 cases of coronavirus; Ogun State has recorded three so far.

Sahara Reporters/MyNigeria.com