COVID-19; OGUN BEGINS DISINFECTION OF MARKETS, PARKS, OTHERS

The Ogun State Government has commenced the disinfection of public places in its efforts towards combating the Coronavirus in the State.

Flagging off the exercise at Kuto Market in Abeokuta, the State Capital, the Secretary  to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, said the exercise which was done simultaneously in Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu and Ilaro, would see markets, parks, police stations, schools, shops, among others disinfected.

"The whole idea is because we know that Coronavirus can stay in a place for between six to eight days, so we are going to do this from time to time to make sure that our people are not contracting the virus.

"We are deploying different grades of equipment appropriate for different purposes like fire trucks, backpacks and other equipment mounted on vehicles as well as about 900 personnel that have been assigned in all the four divisions of the State to carry out the exercise," he explained.

Mr. Talabi said though it may take time to get to some of the high-traffic areas, there is assurance that places usually with large populations would be disinfected as government does not want the places to be sources where people may contract COVID-19.

The State's Chief Scribe noted that the exercise would be a continuous process, while enjoining the people to partner with government by disinfecting their homes, especially now that children are at home, to guard against transmitting the virus through them.

The SSG, while assuring the people that chemicals used in the disinfection exercise, though highly effective against virus and bacteria, are not toxic, as they do not affect the skin or surfaces, enjoined them to watch out for people with symptoms of the virus and call 08001235678, for urgent response from government health officials.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Abiodun Abudu Balogun, said the inspection and disinfection of public places was part of government measures in containing the spread of the deadly virus in the State.

Hon. Balogun, who solicited the cooperation of the people at ensuring the success of the exercise, assured that his Ministry was up to the task and had deployed men and materials to the four divisions of the State.