Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who briefed journalists in Benin City, said the state government was set to shut down all markets in the state with effect from today to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state.

He stressed that following the upsurge of confirmed cases to 11, all markets in the state would be shut as from midnight today, adding that the painful decision was to enable the state government to commence fumigation of markets on Wednesday, immediately after the closure.

He added that the markets across the state would be relocated to public primary school fields nearest to the markets, while the fumigation exercise lasted.

Shaibu, who emphasized the need for the use of face masks whether foreign or locally made, said the state government has made it mandatory for residents in the state to ensure they put on face masks if they must move out from their homes.
He explained that the failure of residents who flagrantly disobeyed government’s directive on the use of facemasks would be sanctioned and prosecuted.

“Facemasks have become mandatory for residents in Edo. People must put on their facemasks if they must leave their homes to any part of the state. Edo state government would prosecute anyone who fails to adhere to the government’s directive on the use of facemask,” he said.