September 15, (THEWILL) – The Edo state government on Wednesday began enforcing restrictions on large public gatherings in government offices for persons without evidence of COVID-19 vaccination.
The state government said the move is to contain the pandemic and protect Edo residents from the deadly disease.
The state has so far recorded 1,034 confirmed cases and 53 fatalities in the third wave of the pandemic.
Speaking to journalists during the state’s daily press briefing on COVID-19 at the Government House in Benin City, the permanent secretary, Edo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Osamwonyi Irowa, said entry into government offices would be based on the presentation of proof of vaccination.
He said, “If you have to enter the State Secretariat and other government offices, you must have your vaccination cards; we are going to implement this in all the key areas to ensure that we don’t have people being infected because the other person is proving difficult.
“The first phase of the enforcement, which begins on September 15, is targeted at state government facilities.
“Those that cannot provide their COVID-19 vaccination cards may have to excuse us and be working from home.”
On his part, the head of the COVID-19 enforcement team, Yusuf Haruna, said the government has trained 20 special teams across the state to commence the enforcement of “no vaccination, no entry into government-owned facilities” policy.
Meanwhile, the Delta state government has made COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for every resident of the state.
The state commissioner for information, Charles Aniagwu, stated this shortly after the executive council meeting presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Tuesday at the Government House, Asaba.
He said, “Today, EXCO meeting, COVID-19 was the major issue discussed at the meeting. The governor at the meeting directed that the COVID-19 vaccination is compulsory for all residents of the state.
“We have many points of vaccination across the state; so, we advise residents to take advantage of that and get vaccinated.
“As a government, we will not allow individuals to use their right to jeopardise that of others. Where your right stops, others’ begins.”
