Ekiti imposes curfew, limits public gathering to 20

The Ekiti State Government has imposed a 8pm to 6am curfew in the state and banned all gatherings of more than 20 people until further notice.

The restrictions take effect from 5am of Monday, January 11, 2021.

Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Akinbowale Omole, announced the new guidelines in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, citing the alarming spread of the second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria and elsewhere as reasons.

He said there was a need for the government to take decisive steps to secure the citizens from the second wave of the pandemic that had claimed thousands of lives all over the world recently.

He urged the people to continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols strictly and abide by the curfew and new restrictions placed on public gatherings by the state government.

Omole urged the people to always wear their face masks properly, wash their hands with soap and use hand sanitizer regularly, as well as keep social distance to avoid contracting the virus.

He added that the curfew would be strictly enforced except those on essential services.

According to the commissioner, there is also a ban on all public gatherings of more than 20 people while COVID-19 safety protocols should be strictly observed even in such gatherings.

He said for worships, the government would allow two services to take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and that all the services should not extend beyond 2pm on such days.

He stressed that all worship centres were expected to provide necessary facilities for hand washing, soap and hand sanitizer at the entrances and infrared thermometers to take worshippers temperature before they are allowed in for service.

He added that the state COVID-19 Response Committee other relevant enforcement agencies would be going round to ensure compliance with the directives.

He said any person or group of persons found violating the guidelines put in place would be prosecuted and sanctioned accordingly.

Omole said Ekiti State Government would continue to do all within its powers to prevent the spread of the second wave of the pandemic in the state.