Text of the State Address on COVID 19 Response 10 by His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON, Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria on Updates on the COVID 19 Ekiti State Response.

1. Text of the State Address on COVID 19 Response 10
His Excellency
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria
on Updates on the COVID 19 Ekiti State Response
Ado-Ekiti – Wednesday, December 23, 2020.
Ekiti Kete,
1. It is my pleasure to address you on the state of things in regards to our
collective fight against COVID-19 pandemic. I want to thank you for
your untiring cooperation in our joint effort to overcome of the
pandemic.
2. As I indicated in my previous addresses, we have continued to be
responsive in our management of the pandemic in line with the
progress made and the general outlook of incidence in our State and
the Country at large.
3. As you are aware, we work in collaboration with the Federal
Government and other stakeholders in our fight to effectively combat
this virus. Ekiti has also continued to be a model in the Country in
terms of pro-activeness, creativity, responsiveness and effectiveness.
4. You would recall that in my last broadcast to you on COVID-19 update
on September 13, 2020, I expressed the confidence of the State on the
progress made and accordingly further relaxed the restrictions that we
had to impose at the peak of the pandemic.
5. Consequently, we opened our educational and religious institutions for
full resumption, while markets, event centres and other were also

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allowed to operate. I also indicated that we would continue to update
you and respond appropriately as new developments unfolded.
6. As at the time we opened up our State to return to normalcy, we had
acted on the steady decline that had occurred, not only in Ekiti here
but also nationally. Regrettably, things have taken a new turn in the
last two weeks which has now necessitated that I address you today on
the state of things and the next line of action.
7. Ekiti Kete, the much dreaded second wave of the pandemic is here. As
scientists and medical professionals had earlier forewarned based on
the knowledge of the behaviour of viruses generally and coronavirus
specifically, the initial strain of the virus which the world was almost
surmounting has been said to have mutated into another strain which
is believed to be more lethal and deadly as fatalities from the new
variant has been sudden and many.
8. This new strain was first reported in the United Kingdom but latest
report has indicated that the variant is now in Nigeria. It is for this
reason that the presidential taskforce on COVID-19 headed by the
Secretary to the Federal Government has announced new measures
9. In Ekiti here, as at two days ago, we had done a total of 7, 890 tests
with 405 confirmed cases since the outbreak. We have about 30 active
cases currently under treatment in our isolation center. One
frightening fact about these figures however is that we have recorded
about 15 cases out of about 170 tests conducted in the last one week.
This is near 10% confirmed cases as against the less than 5% that we
used to have at the beginning of the pandemic, earlier in the year.
10. Things were not this bad when we imposed strict restrictions on the
State at the outset of the breakout of the pandemic in March.
Government is therefore very disturbed with the rising figure and its
implications on our fragile health facilities and economic wellbeing.

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11. Consequently as a first measure to stem the tide, I have directed that
public gathering should be minimised across the state in accordance
with extant COVID-19 protocol.
i. We understand the importance of this season in our
religious life as a people, we however must prioritise public
health above other considerations; therefore, we expect
churches to observe the service in strict compliance with
COVID-19 protocols such as hand washing, use of hand
sanitizers, observation of the approved social distance and
to allow only half of the sitting capacity of the church to
partake in the service.
ii. Churches and mosques are to enforce all the existing
protocols and should return to only one service on Friday
Saturday or Sunday as the case may be. Other weekly
activities and congregational gatherings should be put on
hold till further notice.
iii. In addition, protocols regarding wedding and burial
ceremonies remain in force. There should be no crowd in
the church auditorium and burial services must be at the
graveside only.
iv. Supermarkets, event centres, hotels and bar owners are to
strictly ensure that social distancing measures are put in
place and followed accordingly.
v. Only half of the full sitting capacity of a facility can be
allowed to participate in any ceremony/programme at any
point and activities should not exceed 8pm.
vi. Partying, clubbing and vigils are suspended indefinitely
until further notice.

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vii. I have directed that all schools should remain closed till
January 18; and
viii. I have also directed that civil servants on grade level 12 and
below, should in the meantime, stay at home till January
18 when they would be directed on when they could
resume.
ix. Government officials are to discourage in-person meetings
as much as possible and no government official must been
seen in the public without wearing facemasks.
12.Ekti Kete, to ensure that things do not snowball out of control, we have
given strict instructions to the taskforce and law enforcement agents to
begin aggressive compliance enforcement activities in public places,
including worship centers, event centers, markets, supermarkets, bars
and hotels. Government will not hesitate to close down any facility
indefinitely, and to prosecute operators of any public places, flouting
the protocols.
13. Finally, I urge you to keep safe on all fronts. We must not only keep safe
in terms of COVID-19 prevention, we must also ensure that we drive
safely as we join our families to celebrate the Yuletide. I urge you to
celebrate responsibly and moderately. I wish you merry Christmas and
happy New Year ahead.
14. May we all be alive to see the end of the year in peace and joy.
Thank you for listening.
Alale Ekiti a gbe a oo.
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Ado, Ekiti – Wednesday, December 23, 2020

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