Vaccination Dispute: Edo Governor Threatens Lockdown of State
Category: Nigeria News
Edo State Governor,
Godwin Obaseki
has warned that he would lock down the state if residents failed to comply
with directives on vaccination and the use of non-pharmaceutical measures to
halt the spread of COVID-19.
Obaseki had last week Monday, declared that from mid-September unvaccinated persons would not be allowed to access banks, religious and event centres in the state.
But a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, restrained the governor from implementing his directive on compulsory vaccination.
Obaseki, while reacting to the court order, said the state government would commence intensive enforcement of the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to curb the current spike in COVID-19 infections and deaths in the state.
“The measures include compulsory wearing of face-masks, regular washing of hands or use of hand sanitizers, and maintenance of social and physical distancing in public places.
“Consequent on the rapid rise in infections and death from COVID-19, the government may be forced to implement a lockdown if there is a failure to follow the directives for vaccination and compliance with the Non-Pharmaceutical Intervention (NPIs) in order to halt the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19,” he said.
On the court order, he said the government would challenge the order in court, as it has the power to make such an order under the gazetted Quarantine Regulations
Recall earlier this week a protest had held saying the Governor can’t ask them to be forcefully vaccinated.
Obaseki had last week Monday, declared that from mid-September unvaccinated persons would not be allowed to access banks, religious and event centres in the state.
But a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, restrained the governor from implementing his directive on compulsory vaccination.
Obaseki, while reacting to the court order, said the state government would commence intensive enforcement of the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to curb the current spike in COVID-19 infections and deaths in the state.
“The measures include compulsory wearing of face-masks, regular washing of hands or use of hand sanitizers, and maintenance of social and physical distancing in public places.
“Consequent on the rapid rise in infections and death from COVID-19, the government may be forced to implement a lockdown if there is a failure to follow the directives for vaccination and compliance with the Non-Pharmaceutical Intervention (NPIs) in order to halt the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19,” he said.
On the court order, he said the government would challenge the order in court, as it has the power to make such an order under the gazetted Quarantine Regulations
Recall earlier this week a protest had held saying the Governor can’t ask them to be forcefully vaccinated.
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