COVID-19: Osun Govt. Gives 3-Week Ultimatum For Civil Servants’ Vaccination

 

Sodiq Yusuf

THE State Government of Osun has issued a three-week ultimatum to workers in the State Civil Service to get themselves tested and vaccinated against the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Any civil servant who is not vaccinated within the time frame might not be allowed into the State Secretariat, Abere.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Siji Olamiju, stated this in an interview on Monday.

Olamiju said: “The Ministry of Health has made the staff clinic at Abere a point of test for all the civil servant in the Secretariat and they are responding. After we have given them a certain period of time, those who still remain unvaccinated may not be allowed to enter into the Secretariat.

“We have given them a period of three weeks to have themselves vaccinated. In this regard, the Head of Service is actually the campaign for this, sensitising all the ministries, department and agencies of the availability of test and eventual vaccination. And after this given period, if anyone still remains recalcitrant; we will know which action to take.”

This is just as Governor Adegboyega Oyetolahas ordered compulsory vaccination for his cabinet members, public servants, health workers and others in the state.

Oyetola gave the directed in a memo from the office of the Head of Service, dated September 15, 2021 with reference number SMD.61 Vol.III/16 and signed by its Permanent Secretary, S. A. Aina.

According to the memo, the directive is part of the measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

The memo reads: “Consequent upon the rampaging and virulent third wave (DELTA VARIANT) of the COVID-19 virus, the Government of the State of Osun is determined to halt its continuous spread in the state. Hence, the government has provided COVID-19 vaccine to be taken by all workers in the State in its various health facilities. 

“This is with a view to ensuring that the vaccine is taken in order to protect and prevent the workforce and residents from being infected with the virus.

“Arising from the foregoing, the Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has mandated all public servants who have not been vaccinated against COVID 19 to visit the nearest Government Health Centre to them or their place of work to get vaccinated forthwith. 

“This directive of Mr. Governor must be taken very seriously by all the affected workers across the entire State and Local Government Services.

“In addition to the above, the Governor has directed that all Public Servants should continue to follow all COVID-19 protocols such as wearing of face masks, staying at least six (6) feet away from one another, avoiding crowded places, constant washing of hands/ use of hand sanitisers, among others.

“All Accounting Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including Tertiary Institutions, Local Government Authorities, Local Council Development Areas,etc. are requested to draw the attention of their staff to the contents of this Circular and ensure strict compliance by all.”