BENIN CITY – The Edo State Government has partnered the Concerned Edo Citizens, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), to increase awareness on safety protocols to check the spread of the second wave of coronavirus (COVID-19) in major areas, markets, event centres and other public spaces in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha and Egor Local Government Areas of the state.
The group, whose campaign kicked off in Oredo LGA, visited Lagos Street, Ibiwe, Igun Street, Sakponba Road, Airport Road, Sapele Road and parts of GRA, Ugbor, and Ugbor-Amagba.
Some markets visited include Oba Market; Yanga Market; Oliha Market; Uwa Market; Ekiosa Market; Oka Market and Idogbo Market.
Other areas visited are Siluko Road, Textile-Mill Road, Ogida Barracks, TV Road and 2nd West-Circular Rd, among others.
The convener of the group, Ogbewi Aghedo, said the campaign was pertinent because of the high fatality rate being recorded in the second wave of COVID-19 when compared with the first wave.
He noted, “It is important for Edo people, to comply with safety protocols emplaced to check the spread of the virus. If we take the necessary caution advised by the government, we will halt the spread of the deadly virus.
“The Edo State Government has made provision for sample collection centres across the 18 local council areas across the state. In fact, the state government has continued to equip the health care sector to halt the spread of COVID-19 and manage suspected cases.
“Edo people should take advantage of these structures and anyone with symptoms of the disease should go for screening and testing at any of the sample collection centres nearest to them across the state.”
Aghedo added that “it is time for us to take seriously the proper and compulsory use of face masks, regular hand washing and the guideline on social distancing in public spaces.”
The team also distributed Information, Communication and Education materials to pedestrians and traders on the major streets, urging them to obey the government’s directive to halt the spread of the virus.
