Osun Osogbo festival: Health ministry will enforce strict COVID-19 protocols – Commissioner, Isamotu

Even as large numbers of traditional worshippers/adherents are expected in Osogbo over the weekend for the annual Osun Osogbo traditional festival, the Osun State Ministry of Health has assured that it is going to enforce all the COVID-19 protocols as directed by the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu made this known in a telephone conversation with DAILY POST Tuesday in Osogbo.

Apart from ensuring the strict adherence to COVID-19 protocol, Isamotu said the whole essence of keeping to the guidelines is about the safety of everybody since nobody is safe again.

The Commissioner said the state government cannot stop the traditional worshippers from celebrating their festival since it permitted both the Christians and Muslims to hold theirs in the state.

In his words, “We will ensure that people that will be coming for the festival adhere strictly to COVID -19 safety guidelines.

“People must compulsorily wear their face masks. Since many people will come for the festival, they must maintain adequate social distancing. It may be difficult but we must do our best to ensure everything is done and our staff will also be stationed at the entrance of the Osun grove to adequately advise the people just as we did in 2014 during the Ebola virus epidemic.

“The health ministry staff that will be at the entrance will be equipped with infrared thermometers.”

He also said that with the federal government approving another round of COVID-19 vaccination in view of the third wave COVID-DELTA variant, the state is poised and set to commence the vaccination once it has been supplied and made available.