COVID-19: Makinde gives new directives to Civil Servants in Oyo


Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde has directed all civil and public servants on grade level 13 and above in the State to resume duties on Monday, April 27.

He gave the directive at a press briefing on the outcome of the coronavirus pandemic Taskforce on Saturday at the Government House, Agodi, in Ibadan.

The governor said measures to would be put in place with regards to preventing the spread of the disease.
He further directed that all meetings would be held online and that no visitor would be allowed into the secretariat “except where absolutely necessary”.

“Hand washing facilities will be located at every strategic location within the secretariat; also, 100ml sanitiser and facemask will be given to each officer.

“But no canteen within the secretariat will be allowed to operate, so officers are encouraged to bring their own food to office for launch,” He stated.

Makinde also announced relaxation of the existing curfew in the state from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., instead of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

He noted that the curfew relaxation was to accommodate farmers in the current planting season, saying that the farmers were being sensitised on how they could stay safe as they farm during this period.

On whether markets would be reopened, the governor said that COVID-19 Compliance Guidelines would be provided for markets including hand washing and wearing of face masks, adding that only markets which meet up with the guidelines would be allowed to reopen for economic activities.

On efforts to curtail COVID-19, Gov Makinde commended the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, for the work the ministry is doing at the national level to fight coronavirus pandemic.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health is decentralising the accreditation of isolation/treatment centres to state levels so that it would be quicker and more efficient.

“Based on this, the Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital Ibadan will be working with the Commissioner for Health in Oyo State to set up a five-member accreditation team,” he said.

He added that the UCH CMD would also provide an individual that would join the task force team.

He further disclosed that COVID-19 patients at Agbami Jericho Isolation Centre would be moved to the Infectious Disease Centre at Olodo in Ibadan, so as to allow government upgrade the facilities at the Agbami Isolation Centre.

On the distribution of palliatives measures, Makinde said that 90,000 households identified as the poorest of the poor would get relief supplies.

He also said that 30,000 targeted vulnerable households would benefit from the palliatives.