Covid-19 – Ondo Releases Guidelines On School Resumption, Others

ONDO State government has announced September 14 as the new
date for resumption for Junior Secondary School JSS 3 students in the
state.

It says the move was to enable students in the category to prepare for
their certification examination.

Chairman of the State Interministerial Committee on COVID-19 and the
Vice-Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Professor
Adesegun Fatusi said this while presenting the approved updated
guidelines for COVID-19 prevention in the state.

Fatusi noted that the COVID-19 prevention guidelines are borne out of
the need for the people to get back to normal life, though with
recommended protocols, to safeguard their lives and family.

He said that “The state is actively monitoring preparations regarding
the provision of adequate logistics for COVID-19 prevention for all
primary schools, and the announcement regarding the date of resumption
will be made at an appropriate date.

“Junior Secondary School (JSS) JSS 3 students will resume according to
the following schedule while the date for resumption of other classes
shall be announced at an appropriate future date.

Fatusi noted that “September 7-13: Preparation by schools to receive
students with provisions that meet with the public health guidelines
against COVID-19; Monitoring of schools’ preparations by relevant
government agencies and teams. September 14-18: Revision for students
in schools.

September 19 – October 4: Examinations.

Government has approved that “churches and mosques can hold their
activities any day of the week, but not between the hours of 10.00 pm
and 4.00 am.

“The duration for any indoor religious service must not be more than 2
hours on any occasion, Conventions or similar special programmes can
hold for only three (3) consecutive days at a time, but not between
the hours of 10.00 pm and 4.00 am on any day; the maximum duration for
such programmes must not exceed three hours on any single occasion,

“Vigils are totally prohibited until further notice; Special outdoor
religious programmes that may involve the mass gathering of people
such as crusades are still prohibited until further notice; Not more
than 50 per cent of the capacity of the building of the Church, Mosque
or any other religious body must be filled during any programme; Wear
face masks properly (completely covering the nose and mouth)
throughout the programme.

“The current stay-at-home order regarding government workers/civil
servants on salary grade level 1-12 is to be maintained until further
notice.

All government offices must clearly and boldly display the signs of
“No Mask, No Entry; No Mask, No Services” at the entrance of their
offices and at strategic points in the workplace

“Markets can open on any day of the week, but not between the hours of
10.00 pm and 4.00 am and must Observe physical distancing – a space of
two metres or 6 feet (two arm’s length between all individuals at all
times;

“Bars and Clubs are now allowed to open and operate daily but not
between the hours of 10.00 pm and 4.00 am.

“Permission to hold social events (Wedding, burial, etc) in
Church/Mosque or Reception Halls/Event Centre must be sought in
writing, at least one week, from the Special Adviser on Health/Ag
Commissioner for Health and approval obtained before an event is
organised and the number of people to participate in an event must not
be more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the Church or Mosque.

“Permission to hold a wake-keep event must be sought in writing, at
least one week, from the Special Adviser on Health/Ag. Commissioner
for Health and approval obtained before an event is organised; burial
wake keep event can hold on any day, but not between the hours of
10.00 pm and 4.00 am, not more than 100 people are allowed at an event
taking place in the open; for events taking place in a hall or event
centre, not more than 50 per cent of the capacity of such hall/event
centre should be filled.

“Political Activities: Campaign venues should not be filled to more
than one-third of their capacities and social distancing (minimum of 2
metres or 6 feet) strictly maintained, avoid the gathering of a large
number of people; Where gathering cannot be avoided, social distancing
should be strictly adhered to during physical meetings/programmes and
such an event must not go beyond two hours.

“If a physical gathering is essential and cannot be avoided, multiple
rallies should be conducted with appropriate numbers of people to
enable adequate physical distancing in each gathering per time.

“All participants at a rally or any other political event must
properly wear face masks throughout a campaign rally or other
political activities.

Fatusi said that “Where applicable, virtual campaigns and rallies
should be carried out instead of physical gatherings, using virtual
platforms and online meetings, televised and radio campaigns, mobile
vans and newspapers to reach their goals.