The Enforcement Task Force set up by the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led Ogun State Government has begun a full operation to enforce the government’s order towards curbing the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
This was coming as the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government through the Director-General, Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, has reiterated the need for both public and private schools in the state to adhere strictly to the directives of the state government towards closing down schools from March 23.
In Ogun State, officers of the task force began to patrol on Sunday in order to ensure full compliance with the directive of the Dapo administration, which last week placed a ban on high-density gatherings of more than 50 people.
The public is therefore enjoined to desist from organising gatherings that fall under the purview of the ban or refuse to honour an invitation to such gatherings.
“Any group of people found disobeying the governor’s directive will be rounded up and the law would take its course, accordingly.
“However, the government wishes to notify the public that this ban will be enforced without infringing on anyone’s right to freedom of movement and association, as permitted by the directive,” the statement said.
To also curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos, OEQA director-general said evaluators have been strictly mandated to monitor compliance with the directives of the Sanwo-Olu administration.
Seriki-Ayeni said schools intending to hold special sessions or write examinations before the said date should desist from doing so, noting that this would be contrary to the directives of the state government that all social gatherings or any gathering with more than 50 people remain banned.
She explained that, in line with the recent developments on COVID-19, all principals and school owners are advised to note that failure to adhere to these directives may endanger the lives of students and teachers and violate Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
“Parents are advised to ensure that their children stay at home. No child should be sent to any tutorial centre or camp as this poses the same danger to their health and the larger community.
“All students must be informed on the basic precautionary methods and hygienic practices which include maintaining social distance, avoiding large gatherings and close contact with sick persons, regular hand-washing with soap and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers,” she said.
The director-general added that strict compliance with these directives is mandatory, as failure to adhere would attract sanctions that may include the closure of the school indefinitely.
MyNewsbyte
