The Ogun government has announced the closure of its borders with its neighbouring states and the Republic of Benin to stem further spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The announcement is contained in a statement issued by Mr Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dapo Abiodun in Abeokuta on Saturday.
The government stated it was constrained to effect border closure in order “to stem and flatten the curve of the spread of the dreaded coronavirus pandemic in the state, the nation and the West African sub-region’’.
The closure, which would be effected at 12 midnight on Sunday, would be in force for two weeks in the first instance.
“With this restriction order, movement in and out of the state is thus banned as a further measure to contain the coronavirus pandemic,’’ the statement read in part.
The government stated that its position was peculiar because it shared an international border with the Republic of Benin and with other states in the South-west region, except Ekiti.
“The border closure will not only be beneficial to Ogun but the national efforts to curtail and contain the virus.
“Lessons from other climes strongly indicate that closure of borders has the potential to drastically flatten the curve of spread whilst unrestricted movement portends grave dangers.’’
According to the statement, the only exceptions to the interstate restrictions are vehicles conveying personnel involved in essential services such as security agencies, health workers, food and medical items and petroleum products.
The government enjoined citizens to fully co-operate with the security agencies, who it said, have been fully briefed and directed to effect the closure.
“At this period of a global pandemic and national emergency, all hands must be on deck to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
“The border closure and other measures will be reviewed from time to time in response to developments as they unfold,’’ it added.