The Kwara State government on Tuesday disclosed that it would begin fumigation of markets and other specific locations by April 2, 2020.
Kayode Alabi, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19, who dropped the hint while briefing journalists in Ilorin on the development on the fight against Coronavirus, informed that specific markets would be designated for people to purchase essentials like food and medicines.
He said, “The government has approved the fumigation of our markets and other specific places. 200 fumigating machines have been purchased for this purpose and this should begin latest April 2, 2020, to decontaminate these places.
“Thereafter, specific markets in the state would be designated and announced for people to purchase foodstuffs and other essentials ONLY. Public transportation (Soludero buses) will be made available with strict adherence to social distancing and other preventive protocols.”
The state government equally announced the immediate closure of its local and external borders amid ramped up efforts to block entries of vehicles from outside and prevent the outbreak of COVID-19 in the state.
Alabi clarified that the border closure excludes all categories of movement sanctioned in the broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the partial shutdowns within the state remain in force until further notice.
“The government hereby announces the shutting down of all our land borders to ban movement to the state from elsewhere. The only exemptions to this rule are those stated in the address of Mr President. Specifically, these are vehicles carrying agricultural produce, medical equipment, and officials on essential duties related to COVID-19 campaign.
“All previous restrictions and exemptions locally remain in force. A specific warning here goes to commercial motorcycles (Okada) who have been violating the shutdown orders. Any violators caught would face the full consequences of the law.”
Speaking further, Alabi revealed that “Following the informed opinion of the medical advisory committee of the technical committee on COVID-19, the government hereby ban house to house distribution of materials at this time.
Donors or their privies can drop such materials at collection points in each ward while beneficiaries go there and pick under strict compliance with COVID-19 prevention protocols.
Donors who may want to be identified with the gestures may wish to brand such materials or foodstuffs in their names, political or social affiliations. Once again, the government commends everyone who has reached out to the poor at this time. However, such must be done without provoking a crisis we are trying to prevent in Kwara State.”
The Committee Chairman had while confirming that Kwara does not have any confirmed case of COVID-19 as at this minute, assured that the committee will continue to be on the alert as he urged the public to be as specific as possible when offering intelligence to the medical team.
SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin
