Coronavirus: Fayemi orders reopening of economy, releases guidelines

The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has ordered the reopening of the state’s economy on Monday.

Mr Fayemi disclosed this in a statewide broadcast on Sunday. He also released the guidelines on the reopening of the state’s economy.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported the first two-week order given by the state governor, Kayode Fayemi, on the lockdown was issued on March 30.

The Ekiti State Government also declared a mandatory use of face masks as additional measures to curb the ravaging coronavirus.

According to the governor, commencing from June 1, 2020, Ekiti people will now be able to go about their daily activities from Monday to Friday, 6 am to 8 pm in the evening.

“The dusk to dawn curfew will daily resume from 8 pm till 5: 59 am of the following morning.”

“Ekiti State public officers on Grade Level 8 and above are to resume for duty from June 1, 2020, while those on Level 7 and below are to remain at home for now.”

“Existing restrictions on human and vehicular movement would continue to be observed in accordance with existing regulations contained in the Ekiti State Coronavirus Disease (Prevention of Infection), Regulations 2020.”

“For now, Ekiti boundaries will remain on complete lockdown daily pending further review at the national level,” the official said.

He said the government is considering reopening the major markets to permanent shop owners, after the outcome of the engagement process that is ongoing on the relocation of roadside traders to the available alternative markets being prepared for them.

“The reopening will be subject to compliance with specific conditions and protocols that are being determined.”

“Similarly, government appreciates the impact of the continued stay-at-home [order for] our children, therefore, efforts are ongoing to reopen the schools as soon as the committee set up to appraise the protocols, resources, conditions and modalities for reopening has concluded its work.”

“As part of steps leading to the reopening of the schools, I have directed the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology to commence a stakeholders’ engagement, including teachers, parents, vendors, school administrators & school owners, immediately, for a common position on  the best way to manage the situation.”

“This is without prejudice to what may be decided subsequently at the national level in respect of school reopening.”

“A similar committee will be engaging with the religious organisations to fashion out a workable protocol that will enable the religious houses to reopen very soon without jeopardising the lives and health of worshippers.”

The governor added that the ban on social gathering on account of religious, educational, political or any reasons whatsoever, remains in force until the ongoing consultations are concluded.

“Ekiti Kete, as we enter another phase in the fight against the invisible but lethal enemy, there is, even now, a greater demand on all of us to take personal responsibility.

“We have been fortunate so far not to have experienced mass infections and fatalities as seen in other parts of the world where medical know-how, technology and resources are much better, but we should not stretch our luck beyond the elastic limit by being complacent, especially now that more people will be tested in Ekiti State.”

“We must never trivialise the danger that COVID-19 continues to pose to us. We must ensure we do not have a reversal of fortune.”

“We need to remain more vigilant than ever & to continue to be watchful.”

“Thank you all, may we all see the end of this #COVID19 pandemic. It is my prayer that none of us shall be missing when it is time for the victory song,” he said.

Ekiti currently has 20 confirmed cases of Covid-19 with 2 active cases,  16  discharged persons and 2 deaths case recorded.