Osun Cancels Annual New Year Countdown Over COVID-19

The State Government of Osun has introduced new measures to curb spread of the infection in the State due to the increase in cases of Coronavirus across the country,

The State Executive Council presided over by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola announced the new directives after its meeting held on Monday to discuss emerging national issues, including the management of the pandemic.

The Council expressed worry over what it described as appalling and abysmally low level of compliance of residents of the State with the existing COVID-19 protocols.

A statement by Prince Wole Oyebamiji, the Secretary to the State Government said the government has issued new directives that groups, associations and residents of the State must comply with, to limit spread of the disease in the State.

Part of the new directives is that all social clubs, hotels, departmental stores, supermarkets, event centers and allied centres are to henceforth operate at half of their capacities.

The Council appealed to the citizenry to cut down on social gatherings for weddings, naming ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and others to reduce the spate of exposure and contact with possible carriers visiting the State during the Yuletide period.

It also mandated religious organisations in the State to reintroduce the abandoned protocol regimes already put in place at the wake of the pandemic before the economy was unlocked for business activities.

Additionally, the Council directed its members to engage leadership of various religious groups to sensitise and enlighten their congregations on the need to comply with the Covid-19 protocols.

Towns and cities are to put on hold the annual days through physical attendance and change such to virtual version.

Council directed Local Governments and Local Council Development Authorities to form enforcement/suasion committees to save the situation and further spread of the pandemic.

Also the Executive Council directed the Citizenry to embrace the use of face masks in public places, washing of hands with soap and water, hand sanitisers and social distancing as compulsory steps to avoid infections.

The Council pleaded with the citizenry to continue to take their health seriously as their personal responsibility and enjoin all to adhere to the Covid-19 protocols.

The Council encouraged proper management and disposal of used face masks and other materials used daily in the prevention of the virus of the pandemic from spreading.

The Council did not leave out the need to sustain the ‘no mask, no entry’ at MDAs and public places across the State, including educational institutions.

The Council also directed that annual youth carnivals should be discouraged across the State with cancellation of countdown to the new year rallies and ceremonies.