Following the confirmation of two cases of COVID-19 in Offa, the government of Kwara State has imposed a total shutdown of the ancient town to contain community transmission and save people’s lives.
The shutdown will become effective at 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday April 8th.
This directive was said to be pursuant to the Kwara State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020.
The shutdown means total restriction on every vehicular movement into or from Offa.
The exceptions to the directive, the government said, were those contained in the recent address of Mr President which granted access to vehicles transporting foodstuffs, poultry and pharmaceutical products.
Any other movement, private or commercial was declared banned for the next 14 days or until such a time the government was satisfied that its people were no longer at risk of mass infections arising from the two cases that had been traced to the town.
Any violators, the government said, were liable to punishments outlined in the Kwara State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020.
Various security agencies, including the police and the Nigerian Navy, it was announced, had been drafted to enforce the directive “while His Royal Highness the Olofa of Offa has been fully briefed.”
The statement issued by the government and signed by the Deputy Governor/Chairman, Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19 , Kayode Alabi, reads in part:
“We urge our people to please bear with us in this tough period. The human community is certain to come out of this pandemic stronger and better. The government calls for timely report of any suspicious case of COVID-19. Anyone with travel history to frontline states, the America or European countries and others in the last three weeks should please contact the Kwara State Technical Committee for relevant advisory.
“Arrangements have been made to distribute palliatives to the poorest of the poor to assist them in this trying time. This will happen before the week runs out. The categories of the people to receive the palliatives are strictly the aged, the physically challenged, widows/widowers, poor artisans, and any other needy group that the ward-based committee on palliatives deem qualified for the food stuffs. This committees comprise traditional rulers, religious leaders and local Community Based Organisations whose duty is to monitor the exercise. We want to clarify that this palliative cannot go round. It is targeted strictly at the poorest of the poor in the belief that they are the most affected at this time.
“We pray for all of those infected to get well soon. We assure them of getting the best care possible. Rest assured that you have committed no crime. To all our healthcare specialists, we are grateful to you. We cannot thank you enough. Kwara people are grateful to you and would always have your back now and always.
“Finally, Kwarans, this is no time to panic. Please stay calm. The Government will do everything to keep you safe. But we also need you to play your own role. Stay at home. Keep social distancing. Avoid crowd. Prioritise personal hygiene. And please do not spread unverified news. Claims that one of the two suspected COVID-19 cases has died is FALSE. They both remain stable and asymptomatic at this time.”
