The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has announced dates for reopening of schools in the state with effect from September 21, 2020.
In announcing the dates for resumption of classes for the various levels, he declared that he was encouraged by the fact that there is steady decline in the number of COVID-19 new cases in Nigeria coupled with the fact that the state has not recorded any spike traceable to the students writing the ongoing West African Examination Council (WAEC)’s Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) or their teachers since August 17, 2020.
According to Fayemi, “Similarly, I am also sure many of you have received the information that the Federal Government, working in conjunction with States, has announced that schools could resume as from September as COVID-19 cases continue to steadily decline nationwide.
“Consequently, we are encouraged to further open our schools to other classes as from September 21, 2020.
“It is therefore my pleasure to announce that more classes will be reopened in the State as follows:
i. Students in SSS II, JSS III and Primary 6 are to resume on September 21, 2020.
ii. Students in SSS I, JSS II and Primary 5 and 4 are to resume from September 28, 2020;
iii. While students in JSS I and Primary 1-3 are to resume on October 19, 2020.
iv. However, pupils in Kindergarten and Nursery Schools are expected to resume on November 2, 2020 when we hope more assurances of safety for their age bracket would have been established.
v. Tertiary institutions of learning in Ekiti may begin to reopen as from October 2, 2020 but this is subject to their level of readiness and compliance with the established protocols.
” They are to liaise with the Ekiti COVID-19 Task Force for guidance on the appropriate measures to be put in place before reopening.”
On Religious services, the Governor increased the number of services from one to two services either Friday, Saturday or Sunday in line with existing COVID-19 protocols and regulations concerning worship centers.
On social events, Governor Fayemi said, “Similarly, Government has reviewed rules regarding social events as it regards use of halls and events centres for meetings and occasions.
“Owners of halls and event centres may now be allowed to rent out their facilities but under no condition should such a facility contain more than 50% of its normal capacity.
“This is to allow for social distancing. Events centres are expected to observe all protocols prescribed for religious centres and to obtain certificate of readiness before opening.”
However, Fayemi observed with disappointment, the consistent breach of social-distancing regulations and the use of face masks in public places and social events.
He said, “While we have progressively responded to the initial lockdown with gradual relaxation in line with the progress made, we must remain vigilant as we cannot afford to indulge ourselves such that a spike may recur as a result of flagrant disobedience to the established protocol
“We cannot afford to go back into another round of lockdown with its attendant repercussions. This point needs to be emphasized; though, there is a national decline in number of cases, there has been a noticeable upsurge in Ekiti.”
News7 days ago