Edo State confirms 11 cases of coronavirus, to shut markets today

Ayade extends stay-at-home order by one week
Edo State government yesterday confirmed two additional cases of COVID-19 bringing the total number of cases to 11. Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who briefed journalists in Benin City, said the state government was set to shut down all markets in the state with effect from today to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state.

He stressed that following the upsurge of confirmed cases to 11, all markets in the state would be shut as from midnight today, adding that the painful decision was to enable the state government to commence fumigation of markets on Wednesday, immediately after the closure.

He added that the markets across the state would be relocated to public primary school fields nearest to the markets, while the fumigation exercise lasted.

Shaibu, who emphasized the need for the use of face masks whether foreign or locally made, said the state government has made it mandatory for residents in the state to ensure they put on face masks if they must move out from their homes.
He explained that failure of residents who flagrantly disobeyed government’s directive on the use of facemasks would be sanctioned and prosecuted.

“Facemasks have become mandatory for residents in Edo. People must put on their facemasks if they must leave their homes to any part of the state. Edo state government would prosecute anyone who fails to adhere to government’s directive on use of facemask,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Cross River State government has extended the stay-at-home order to civil servants, which was to lapse today by one week.Governor Benedict Ayade gave the directive yesterday in a statement issued by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita, noting that the extension was to ensure that Cross River people remain safe from coronavirus.

The statement, which was dispatched by his Personal Assistant on New Media, Daniel Williams reads, “As the initial two weeks stay-at-home order issued to civil servants expires, the governor has extended it by one week.

“By this development, civil servants are directed to stay away from work for another one week except those on essential services, which includes medical personnel, paramilitary and revenue officers,” it added.