By Seun Aderounmu
Ekiti State Government on Sunday night announced that the curfew imposed on the state from 8pm to 6am, including various other restrictions, had been relaxed.
According to the statement made in Ado Ekiti by the Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Akin Omole, saying Governor Kayode Fayemi gave approval for the development.
He said the government had also ordered public and private schools in the state to re-open for the second term of the 2020/21 session from Monday 18th January 2021.
The Commissioner added that the restriction of a maximum of 20 persons in confined spaces was also removed to allow half capacity of venues for all events indoors and social distance of two-meter spacing for outdoor activities, also restrictions earlier placed on the number of religious services had also been lifted
He, however, warned that permits must be obtained from the State COVID-19 Taskforce for funerals, weddings, birthdays, and other large social gatherings at event centers, including hotels, pavilions, fields before the events can hold.
“All activities limited to between one and two hours maximum period are encouraged to minimize infection risk.
“Government workers on grade Levels 12 and below are still excused from work until further notice,” the statement said.
Omole explained that the decision to reopen schools in the state was taken to avoid the negative impacts on child health, education, and development within the state.
He added that reopening schools would also enable students to complete their studies and continue to the next level without avoidable additional burdens on family income and the overall economy of the people.
He stated that random testing of teachers and students would be carried out without delay, and urged school administrators and teachers to use infrared thermometers to monitor temperature of everybody in their respective schools and to also adhere to the lay down protocol by the Presidential task force.
He emphasized that the government would not hesitate to close down any private or public school with problems.
Reiterating the commitment of the Fayemi-led administration to the general well-being of people in the State, the commissioner noted that the government had been proactive in its response to the pandemic and had properly positioned the state to effectively counter the spread of all communicable diseases including COVID-19.
He advice all and sundry to abide strictly by all laid-down protocol by the state government to protect them from contracting the Coronavirus and help curtail its spread.
(NAN)