The Kogi State COVID-19 Squadron Team has urged residents to take a cue from Governor Yahaya Bello and ensure social distancing to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon Kingsley Fanwo, the Squadron Team confirmed that Governor Bello now works from home.
The Team, under the leadership of Deputy Governor Edward Onoja, appealed to the citizens of the state to bear with government in this trying period as the directives are for a while and not meant to punish the citizenry.
“We also wish to affirm the leadership of the Governor in his avowed determination to ensure Kogi is safe in the heat of the global pandemic. He is currently leading by example by working from home. He expects all Kogites to do same.
“We also wish to state unequivocally that no one in the State has been tested positive for the Coronavirus. The Committee urges the public to disregard the fake news doing the round about the status of some key public officials in the State.
“Government officials who recently returned from affected countries are currently undergoing the process of ascertaining their status as all of them have been isolated even before the results of their tests are out.
“The State’s Containment/Isolation Center has been put in shape by the State Ministry of Health to ensure we are capable of dealing with any eventuality.
“The ban on congregations stand as people found to be violating the directive will be dealt with decisively. We are also aware some schools are asking their students to come in mufti. Such schools will be sanctioned accordingly.
“Also, the Committee has directed all Senior Special Assistants to the Governor in the various Local Government Areas to handle Government directives with human face. However, in order to save the lives of our people from the pandemic, enforcement of the directives is key.
“It is our hope that our efforts will stave off the virus from Kogi State,” the statement read.
The Squadron Team assured that Kogi State Government will stand by the citizens all the way.