Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has directed civil and public servants from grade level 13 and above to return to their respective duty posts on Monday, April 27.
Makinde gave the order on Saturday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State COVID-19 Task Force meeting held at the Government House Agodi in Ibadan.
According to him, some guidelines would be put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the secretariat.
He stated that there would be new security measure in place including having only one gate to serve as entrance and exit at the secretariat while all other gates would be closed.
Makinde also directed that all meetings would be held online while no visitor would be allowed into the secretariat except absolutely necessary.
“Hand washing facilities will be located at every strategic location within the secretariat, also 100ml sanitiser and facemask will be given to each officer.
“But no canteen within the secretariat will be allowed to reopen now, so officers are encouraged to bring their own food to office for launch,” he stated.
Makinde also announced a slight relaxation of the existing curfew in the state from 7p.m. to 5a.m. as against the earlier of 7a.m to 6a.m.
He noted that the curfew relaxation was to accommodate farmers in the current planting season, saying the farmers were being sensitised on how they could stay safe as they farm during this period.
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On whether markets would be reopened, the governor said COVID-19 Compliance Guidelines would be provided for markets including hand washing and wearing of face mask and that only markets which meet up with the guidelines would be allowed to reopen for economic activities.
On efforts to curtail COVID-19, Gov. Makinde commended the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, for the work the ministry is doing at the national level to fight coronavirus pandemic.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health is decentralising the accreditation of isolation/treatment centres to state level so that it would be quicker and more efficient.
“Based on this, the Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital Ibadan will be working with the Commissioner for Health in Oyo state to set up a five-member accreditation team,” he said.
He added that the UCH CMD would also provide an individual that would join the task force team.
Makinde further disclosed that COVID-19 patient at Agbami Jericho Isolation Centre would be moved to the Infectious Disease Centre at Olodo in Ibadan, so as to allow government upgrade the facilities at the Agbami Isolation Centre.
On the distribution of palliative measures, Makinde said that 90,000 households identified as the poorest of the poor would get relief supplies.
He also said that 30, 000 targeted vulnerable households would benefit from the palliatives
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governor also announced that the one million face masks provided by the state government would be ready on Sunday and would be distributed to market men and women, artisans and civil servants.
