Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has extended the lockdown of the state over Coronavirus by three days.

The Governor addressed its residents, after the initial 14 days lockdown expired today.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Governor. He said the extension is aimed at minimizing community transmission.

The statement reads:

“Dear good people of Osun, as you’re all aware, the 2-week lockdown expires at midnight today. But to avoid escalating community transmission of COVID-19, we’ve decided to extend the lockdown by another 3 days, starting from 11.59 pm on Thurs. 30th April till Sunday, 3rd May.

“All the prevailing lockdown conditions shall subsist during this period, and violators shall be dealt with in accordance with the law. I, therefore, urge you all to continue to adhere with the lockdown directive,” he said.

Oyetola added that also starting from Monday, 4th May, the lockdown would be lifted and that new rules shall be enforced in line with the recommendations of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the approval of the President and “our peculiar situation in Osun.”

“There shall be partial lockdown between 6 am and 5 pm from Monday to Thursday to enable the people go about their businesses and allow government to run. However, total lockdown shall be in force from 6 pm on Thursday to Sunday.

“Also, the ban on public, religious, political & educational gatherings remains in force. Additionally, all major markets shall remain shut. Citizens must observe such protocols as social distancing, hand-washing & wearing of masks at all times in public places.

“Businesses are expected to provide liquid soap and running water and hand sanitisers, while supermarkets should not have more than 10 persons at any time in their store. Inter-state travels are forbidden and as such, our boundaries remain closed,” he added.

He stated further that human and vehicular movement are restricted in and out the state except trucks carrying essential items such as medicals, beverages, foods, petroleum, construction and agriculture supplies and that these supply vehicles shall not carry more than three persons.

"Also, intra-city commercial transportation will be permitted to from Monday to Thursday every week from 6 am to 5 pm, but transporters are required to adhere to strict social distancing directives.

Oyetola reiterated that anyone who violates the directives will be prosecuted in accordance with the law of the state.

“I must place on record the steadfastness of all health workers and volunteers for their unusual commitment to duty and sacrifice in arresting the spread of this much-dreaded COVID-19 pandemic. Your collective sacrifice will never be in vain,” he added.

Osun State had earlier reported that some northern youth are penetrating the state. He added that the northerners sneaked into the state by hiding in trucks transporting essential goods.

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