TELL Magazine

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun on Friday extended the lockdown earlier imposed on the state. That makes it the second time the governor was extending the exercise by one week.

The governor also condemned the attitude of residents of the state to the restriction of movement, particularly across the state boundaries.

Abiodun announced the extension on Friday night while addressing newsmen at the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.

The governor explained that his decision was in line with the president’s directives ordering the gradual relaxation of the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states. Noting that the state officials would continue to monitor the level of compliance with the lockdown measures and the incidence of community transmission to determine easing of the lockdown.

He said, “Consequently, in view of the evidence of community transmission and poor compliance with the lockdown measures, we are constrained to extend the lockdown by another week till Sunday 24th of May.” He, however, said the window of relaxation usually on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, stands as residents would be allowed to go out so they can buy food items and certain other things between the hours of 7am and 5pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“The current pattern of lockdown with relaxation windows from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday continues.

“We must also bear in mind that the daily curfew from 8p.m. to 6a.m. and the ban on non-essential inter-state travel as directed by Mr President still stands,” he said.

Does this imply that residents should expect another extension at the end of the new extension? That is not too certain. Whatever action will be taken that time will be decided by the reality of the situation thereafter. Hear the governor: “Hopefully, there will be positive developments that will enable us to further ease the lockdown at the end of this new lockdown period.”