Coronavirus: Ekiti state Government Declares 14-day Curfew… Sets Prison Term For Defiants

As Nigeria battles the Coronavirus pandemic, Ekiti state governor, Kayode Fayemi, has announced a major lockdown of the state which will begin from Monday night March 30th and end on April 13th.

The governor disclosed this in a state-wide broadcast aired on major media channels this morning Sunday March 29th. He said it was disappointing that many of the state residents are nonchalant about the preventive measures such as washing of hands, coughing and sneezing in their elbows and social distancing. He added that the curfew is much needed as the state could not afford a public health crisis if the Coronavirus crises escalates in the state.

“In our collective interest and to further ensure the safety of Ekiti-kete, having declared Coronavirus (COVID- 19) an infectious disease in Ekiti State, I hereby, in pursuant to Section 8 of the Quarantine Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) impose a curfew of movement in Ekiti state.

The purpose of this curfew is to impose restrictions on the movement of persons and goods within Ekiti state for an initial period of fourteen days. This is in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Ekiti state.

Therefore, effective from 23H59 (11:59pm) on Monday, March 30, 2020 until 23H59 (11:59pm) on Monday, April 13, 2020, there shall be restriction of movement across the length and breadth of Ekiti State, with all our borders closed.

That is a full and total shutdown of Ekiti state, and a 12-hour dusk to dawn curfew in Ekiti State from 7:00pm – 7:00 am. All Ekiti residents are hereby directed to STAY – AT – HOME.

We are implementing the Quarantine Act to keep all Ekiti residents safe. So let me be clear. If you do not go home or stay home for at least fourteen (14) days as from Monday, 30 March, 2020, you could face serious fines or prison term.” he said