COVID-19: Oyo State Records Two Fresh Confirmed Cases, Shuts Down Markets, Declares Dusk To Dawn Curfew From Sunday

By Lere Omoetan On Mar 27, 2020

By Henry Odeh

Following the confirmed two additional cases of COVID-19 otherwise called coronavirus in Oyo state on March 27th, the state government task force has declared a dusk to dawn to dawn curfew and has reduced public gathering from the earlier stipulated maximum of 30 persons to 10 beginning from Sunday, March 29.

The state government that the move was necessary in its bid to intensify efforts at curbing further spread of the extremely contagious virus within the state following fresh records of two new confirmed cases making the total number of tested positive coronavirus cases in Oyo state three.

The Oyo state COVID-19 task force headed by the executive governor of Oyo state has therefore made the following declaration.

1. The COVID-19 confirmation test for two suspected cases have come back POSITIVE. The isolation process has been initiated. 84 Persons of Interest have been identified, and contact tracing and collection of samples have commenced.

2. The state’s diagnostic centre set up in collaboration with the University College Hospital is now ready. The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) certification is still pending but the Director General of NCDC has made a pre-statement about the molecular laboratory in Oyo State.

3. The index case remains stable and is still under observation in the isolation unit at Agbami Chest Centre, Jericho. The number of confirmed cases in Oyo State is now three.

4. As a result of this, I have directed that the following additional measures be put in place: a dusk to dawn curfew (7 PM to 6 AM); no gatherings of more than ten people should be held anywhere in Oyo State. From Sunday night, March 29, 2020, all markets will be closed except those selling perishable food items.

5. Also, inter-state transportation into and out of the state will be suspended except vehicles carrying food items, medical, pharmaceutical and petroleum products. This takes effect from Sunday night, March 29, 2020. All measures will be reviewed on a weekly basis.

6. As part of our COVID-19 sensitization programme, over 30,000 handbills in English, Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa have been produced for distribution.

7. We thank NPG Farms and Hatcheries for their donation of 1000 X 100 ml and 100 X 500 ml hand sanitizers to Oyo State. These will be distributed in markets from tomorrow.