Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has relaxed curfew imposed on Ekiti last week, saying the people can now go out between the hours of 6.a.m- 2 p.m on Tuesday and Thursday this week.
He explained that the curfew had to be relaxed to allow the people restock, clarifying that harsh measure was taken to protect the lives of the populace in view of the daunting nature of the spread.
At his first official function after coming out of self-isolation, Fayemi, who flagged off COVID-19 Response/Food Bank, stated: “I just got out of self-isolation this morning and this is the first state function I will perform.”
Fayemi also relaxed the lockdown imposed on the state since March 29, by giving directive that citizens were allowed to ply their trades between 6 a.m and 2 p.m on Tuesday and Thursday this week to restock and undertake economic activities that would keep their households till the curfew would be lifted.
He said: “I decided to keep away from you in order not to return to self-isolation I had to observe as part of the ways to checkmate the spread of this virus.
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“We want to appreciate the tolerance and support of our people since the lockdown began. We know that the spread of COVID-19 was daunting, but with unity of purpose, we will overcome.
“As part of the measures to protect our people, we shut down the state on March 29 for the initial 14 days with people restricted to their homes. But, on Tuesday April 7 and Thursday, April 9, our people are allowed to move about between the hours of 6 a.m and 2 p.m to restock and the details of this will be made available later by the Ministry of Justice.
“We are particularly sorry for the hardship this lockdown and restriction have brought to our people, especially the poor ones.”
Fayemi said the government would work out modalities to give financial supports to those whose businesses had been adversely affected by the restriction slammed on the state to rout COVID-19.
He said in fulfilment of the promises made to the populace, food items would be distributed to those who were genuinely in need and who had registered with the Ministry of Budget and Planning as poverty-stricken individuals.