COVID-19: Govt Wants All Traditional Festivals in Ekiti State Cancelled

Ekiti State government says it won’t allow the citizens to disregard COVID-19 protocols as the people enter the season of traditional festivals.

Coordinator of Ekiti State Covid-19 Response Taskforce, Prof. Abiola Aluko said in a statement on Saturday said that the people should know that this is not the period to encourage large gathering, as the the celebration of annual festival may trigger the spread of novel Coronavirus in the state.

“As we enter the Traditional Festival Season in Ekitiland, travels from within Ekiti State and various parts of Nigeria by indigenes and visitors to our various towns and villages even during this pandemic period exist and have even started to occur,” Aluko said.

“The attendant incidents of virus transmission in these crowded and boisterous situations where social distancing is impossible and mask wearing is required (but may be impractical for prolonged times) are inevitable.

“Consequently, the wise course is to seriously discourage these festivals at this time. In fact, they are effectively banned by current government guidelines requiring social distancing and limited-number assemblies.

“Therefore, we are appealing to all Kabiyesis, Council Chairmen, Councillors and community leaders for the cancellation of the public celebration of all upcoming festivals and cessation of ongoing ones in Ekitiland until further notice.

“These festivals should be observed in the quietness of homes. Some Kabiyesis have already been commendably proactive and announced cancellation for the rest of the calendar year.

“The government order against crowded assemblies, lack of social distance, and non-wearing of masks will and must be enforced by government security forces.

“We ask for your cooperation. Ekiti State currently has cumulatively recorded 78 positivr Covid-19 cases, 29 of which active, with 2 deaths and 47 discharged, but the cases can rise dramatically if public assemblies continue unchecked,” he said.