.Curfew now 9pm to 5am
Osun State Government has relaxed the total lockdown imposed on the people in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic with the opening of worship centres, resumption of duty of civil servants from grade level 7 and above and opening of some markets across the state.
Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, who dropped this hint at the weekend in Osogbo, said the development would guide the second phase of the gradual reopening of the state’s economy.
Oyetola said all major markets would remain shut while other markets would be opened, but operators must ensure physical distancing and use face masks, including observing all other precautionary measures in accordance with the established protocols of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
Apart from the reopening of mosques and churches, the governor has further relaxed the curfew earlier imposed on the state.
The new curfew period will now be from 9 pm to 5 am daily.
He, however, noted that these new measures would be for just two weeks in the first instance, just as he reiterated that the state’s boundaries remained closed.
The governor, while thanking the people of the state for their support and cooperation during the period of the lockdown, also enjoined them to ensure the new measures on the gradual reopening of the economy are strictly adhered to.
He added that it was imperative to do that so that the state would not lose the gains it had so far recorded in the fight against the deadly Coronavirus in Osun.
Oyetola also urged religious leaders to constantly remind their followers that the fight against Covid-19 is not over and all hands must be on deck to support the fight against the pandemic.
He said, “As you are all aware, the Federal Government few days ago lifted the ban on religious activities in the country. We have, therefore, lifted ours too after our meeting with religious leaders on Wednesday with specific guidelines.
“In furtherance to that, we have also further relaxed our curfew, as part of measures for the gradual reopening of our economy. Civil Servants on level 7 and above should go to work within normal office hours, while each department should work out and alternate working hours for workers on grade levels 1 to 6.”