The Osun State Government has suspended all markets transacted on a weekly basis across the state in order to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Aside from this, the state has started sensitising 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, Rafiu Isamotu, led the government delegation on the sensitization visit to the market women.
He disclosed 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 said: “Only the daily markets, which attract relatively low patronage as against the weekly markets would be allowed to go on for now, but with strict precautionary measures in place.”
The commissioner urged the market women to support the government’s effort in containing the spread of the disease by putting up hand-washing points and providing sanitiziers for everyone who patronises them.
He added: “Osun government under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is ready to combat the deadly virus, hence the proactive measures set up to protect the citizens.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce, Cooperatives and Industries, Christiana Ogunfolaju, also said that safety measures are one of the keys to overcome the spread of Coronavirus and any other disease.
In addition, the Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, 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.
