The Ogun State Government has ordered the closure of schools from Friday, March 20.
The Chief Press Secretary to Gov Abiodun, Kunle Somorin, who disclosed this on Thursday stated that the ban on high-density gatherings affects all schools, whether public or private, as well as all religious activities in the State.
He said, “All schools in the State will remain closed indefinitely after school hours on Friday, March, 20th, 2020,” adding “all religious centres and activities including regular and special services that bring together 50 or more persons in the same place are banned with immediate effect.
The state government advised parents and guardians with children and wards in any boarding facility within the State, to immediately evacuate them and return them to their respective homes at the close of schools on Friday.
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The statement read: “Governor Dapo Abiodun thankfully acknowledges and appreciates religious leaders for their advice, understanding, solidarity and support, as we jointly search for solution to the pandemic and for their cooperation to observe all safety measures in the overall interest of our State and common humanity.
“Government emphasises the need to observe global best practice of social distancing as way of curtailing the spread of the pandemic and recommends that as much as possible, people should minimize contact with others and maintain a distance of at least five feet between one another in public places or in public transportation. In addition, nonessential travels should be limited whilst also avoiding high-density gatherings.
“Governor Abiodun pleads for the understanding of parents, school owners and the entire citizenry to comply fully with all laid down measures and for them to offer useful information for the state to respond appropriately to the COVID-19 challenge.
“The Governor further encourages people to maintain a high level of personal hygiene and surveillance. He added that suspected cases should be reported at the nearest Primary Healthcare Centre (PHCs) in all the 236 wards in the State or the Emergency Operations Centre on COVID-19 by telephone on 08188978393 or 08188978392.”