The lockdown is expected to commence on Tuesday, July 7, in the named local government areas, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Atakumosa East, and Atakumosa West for seven days in the first instance.

The decision was the fallout of the meeting between the government and the stakeholders from the area.

However, according to the governor, if the compliance level is not encouraging, the government will announce a further extension.

The state government also said it was closely monitoring other Local Government Areas with rising numbers of those testing positive for COVID-19 and may in the days ahead lock down more areas.

However, the relaxation in other areas of the state has been extended by two weeks.

These were contained in a statement issued by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode.

She further said the decision to impose a total lockdown on the four local government areas was aimed at containing the spread of the virus in that axis of the State, noting that government had every reason to believe that it was already witnessing what looked more like a community transmission in the area and as such needed to come up with measures to arrest the trend.

The Commissioner stressed that the lockdown would be total. Residents and citizens in that axis will not have the opportunity to go to worship centres and markets during the period. They will only be allowed to shop within their neighbourhoods.

The statement reads in part:

“As you are all aware, the Federal Government, a few days ago lifted the ban on interstate travel in the country. We have, therefore, lifted ours too. But our relaxation guidelines still subsist except for four local government areas, namely; Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa West and Atakumosa East Local Government areas where we have now ordered a one-week lockdown, effective Tuesday, July 7.

“For the avoidance of doubt, our curfew will still run from 9.p.m to 5.a.m daily in other parts of the State, except the locked down LGAs.

“To this end, we urge citizens and residents of the affected communities to take advantage of the hours between now and Monday to stock up provisions that will last them one week in the first instance.

“We have mandated and mobilised the state’s task force and security operatives to strictly enforce the measures.

“The decision to shut down a part of the state, though painful, is the only way to go if it must arrest the further spread of the virus in the state,” she added.