As part of efforts to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Osun, the state government on Tuesday directed that all markets transacted on a weekly basis across the state be suspended indefinitely.
This is just as it embarked on a sensitisation exercise to educate market women under the aegis of Association of Osun Market Women on the virus and the need for them to practice good hygiene.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, who led the government delegation on the sensitization visit to the market women, disclosed the government’s decision to shut down the weekly markets.
He stated that the lockdown was necessary due to the fact that Osun has boundaries with some states that have cases of the COVID-19 adding that people from neighboring states patronise the weekly markets, which he said, makes Osun open to the disease.
Isamotu explained that only the daily market, which attracts relatively low patronage as against the weekly markets would be allowed to go on for now, but with strict precautionary measures in place.
He, therefore, urged the market women to support government’s effort in containing the spread of the disease by putting up hand-washing points and providing sanitizers for everyone who patronise them, maintaining that Osun government under the leadership of Governor Gboyega Oyetola was ready to combat the deadly virus, hence the proactive measures set up to protect the citizens.
In her remark, the Special Adviser to Osun Governor on Commerce, Cooperatives and Industries, Mrs Christiana Ogunfolaju, described the safety measures one of the keys to overcoming the spread of Coronavirus and any other disease.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Barrister Mrs Olubukola Olaboopo advised the market women to ensure compliance and good hygiene and to notify appropriate authorities if anyone is suspected to be infected with the virus.
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