Coronavirus: See why Ogun, Kwara and Lagos State are shutting down schools

Coronavirus: See why Ogun, Kwara and Lagos State are shutting down schools

While the Federal Government announced on Wednesday, March 18th that schools would be shutting down nationwide as a precautionary means against the deadly Coronavirus, some states in the southwest have now followed.

Lagos State the economic capital of the country announced through its’s social media handles that schools would be shut down starting from Monday, Marh 23rd.

Here is the full statement, “As part of the preventive measures against the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Lagos State Government is closing down all public and private schools from Monday, 23rd March 2020

“The move becomes necessary to prevent our children and their teachers from getting more vulnerable to the pandemic
“It is important for parents to ensure that their children practise ‘social distancing’ while at home, wash their hands regularly or use hand sanitizers and observe high standards of personal hygiene.
“Children should be encouraged to remain at home
“The closure is not intended to create panic but to arrest the spread of the disease, which has become a global threat
“The Incident Command Centre, headed by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the Incident Commander, will continue to trace all contacts of the identified cases
“Anyone who has information about suspected cases should report to the nearest hospital or call the emergency telephone numbers 08023169485, 08033565529, 08052817243 and 08023401214.”

Kwara State Government also confirmed the closure of schools through a message from  Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Government, Rafiu Ajakaye on his social media handles.

The Press release read, “COVID-19: Kwara to shut schools Monday

“I can confirm that Kwara State will be shutting down schools from Monday, March 23rd. It is part of the efforts to contain the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We urge our people to maintain the highest level of hygiene and to remain calm and adhere to all safety measures earlier announced by the Kwara State Ministry of Health and other national bodies.

“Further details will be released later.”

The Ogun state government took more drastic measures banning gatherings that bring either 50 or more people together for the next 30 days according to a  statement by  Kunle Somorin who is the Chief Press Secretary to the state government.

The statement said, “Further to measures so far taken to ramp up its efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the Ogun State Government has found it expedient to announce the following additional measures:
“Immediate ban of all high-density gatherings that would bring together 50 or more persons in the same place, such as social clubs, halls, cinemas, night clubs, restaurants, cafes, and sports arenas. This measure will be in effect for the next 30 days in the first instance.”