Oyetola commends traders as markets open, curfew begins in Osun

Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola yesterday saluted the perseverance and commitment of market men and women in the state for adhering to the stay-at-home order, which lasted for more than four weeks.

However, civil servants on Grade Level 13 and above resumed work yesterday at their various offices as directed by the state government while a curfew imposed by the state government as part of continuous efforts to check the spread of Coronavirus also commenced from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

The governor said that the stay-at-home order was inevitable in the interest of the populace, adding that it was not a calculated move to bring hardship to the citizens.

The order, which had just been relaxed, was imposed by the state government to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus in the state, thus safeguarding the health of the populace.

Oyetola, who gave the commendation when he paid a surprise visit to the popular Igbona Market in Osogbo, the state capital, expressed gratitude to buyers and sellers at the market for keeping faith and helping to control the spread of the virus in the state by staying away from the markets despite the current harsh economic realities.

The governor, who commended their courage and support for the government in tackling the virus, said that with the closure of markets across the state, the state’s ranking had dropped on the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC) list of infected states.

He, therefore, enjoined the traders, including customers, to continue to maintain personal hygiene, use their nose covers and sanitisers and avoid direct contact with anybody.

He also urged them to avoid crowding on public buses while taking their goods to and from markets, adding that the government had warned minibuses (korope) operators not to carry more than two passengers on a row of seat.

The market men and women, who were enthusiastic to see the governor, promised that they would continue to abide by the instructions relating to COVID-19 in their own interest and for the safety of all in the state.