Akeredolu imposes curfew in Ondo to stem coronavirus

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has imposed a curfew in the state to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The governor said in a statement uploaded on Twitter on Tuesday that the curfew would last from 7 pm to 7 am daily with effect from Tuesday until further notice.

“Today, we took more sterner measures to ensure compliance to the regulations we passed in order to control the spread of #COVID19 in Ondo State,” Mr Akeredolu said.

“Henceforth we will be imposing a curfew from 7pm to 7am everyday with effect from today 14th April, 2020 until further notice.

“We will arrest and detain individuals found to have breached government’s directives on restriction of movement of persons and goods, operation of business premises and community markets, religious gatherings and public bars and other social activities within the state.

“The only exceptions are where food and medical items are sold with total compliance to social and physical distancing rules.

“We will arrest and detain individuals and goods being transported into Ondo State through our borders in breach of extant directive on total closure of the borders.

“The only exceptions allowed are for purposes of obtaining food, seeking emergency lifesaving or chronic medical attention or obtaining security passes for such journeys in accordance with our regulations.”

Akeredolu called for collective responsibility, saying the fight against COVID-19 demands “utmost seriousness and vigilance.”