‘Suspension of schools resumption applies to all institutions in Edo’

Edo State Government on Sunday said that the suspension of schools’ resumption is applicable to all educational institutions in the state.

The government noted that the directive would be reviewed on February 1, 2021, when the outcome of efforts to check the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state would be evaluated.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, who disclosed this in a statement in Benin City at the weekend, said the state government was taking drastic measures to contain the spread of the virus and protect life and property in the state.

“The Edo State Government hereby announces that the suspension of schools resumption is applicable to all educational institutions in Edo State from pre-school up to tertiary institutions.

“This directive subsists till February 1, 2021, when efforts to check the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic are to be reviewed.”

He said the government is collaborating with communities and organisations on enlightenment and enforcements of new measures to ensure the compulsory wearing of face masks in public places, use of handwashing stations, restriction on religious and social gatherings, and new guidelines for markets, hospitality and transport sectors.
BESIDES, Governor Godwin Obaseki said the state government had built the capacity to conduct 600 COVID-19 tests daily, as there are three additional operational real time-PCR Molecular Reference Laboratory in the state.

He urged stakeholders and residents to support the government’s efforts to contain the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: “In our COVID-19 response, we provided funding and platforms for three additional Real Time-PCR Molecular Reference Laboratory in Edo State, with a daily testing capacity of 600 tests at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo Specialist Hospital and Lily Hospital.
“There is also a procurement of laboratory commodities, personal protective equipment (PPEs), ventilators, dialysis machines, PCR reagents, and vehicles essential for supporting COVID-19 response,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Network for Democracy and Development (NDD) has tasked the Federal and state governments on the need to provide facilities for virtual classes and deploy health personnel to schools to handle emergencies in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Coordinator of NDD, Tajudeen Alabede, and Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Wasi Moshood, in a statement after a virtual meeting in Benin City, said there should have been a well-coordinated plan by the Federal and State governments on phased resumption to prevent overcrowding in schools rather than an outright suspension of resumption.