On day two of the total lockdown imposed by the Kwara State Government to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, the government Saturday, said registered farmers are allowed to go to their farms.
The state technical committee on COVID-19, also exempted journalists on duty from the lockdown in line with global best practices, according to a statement by the spokesman of the committee, Rafiu Ajakaye in Ilorin, Saturday.
“The Kwara State technical committee on COVID-19 hereby permits such farmers to do their job unhindered during the lockdown to the extent that they can identify themselves as legitimate farmers.
“Even then, they are not expected to violate any of the safety protocols in the course of doing so,” the statement added.
The statement urged all the enforcement agencies to grant free passage to such farmers after identification, adding that ” previous waivers to manufacturing firms are still valid on the condition that they maintain social distancing and scale down their operations.
“Petrol stations, banks and hospitals are also exempted from the lockdown on the condition that all safety protocols are adhered to.
“Similarly, journalists are essential workers and should be given right of passage. Presentation of their work place identity cards duly issued by their organisations shall be enough to let them move around to do their work unhindered.
“This privilege shall apply to only all the media houses operating in the state. While reporters are known to operate in groups during developments like this, the committee urges them to maintain social distancing and other safety protocols at this time.
“We want to emphasize that all health workers remain exempted from this lockdown and should be granted free passage at all time once they present their work place identity cards.”
The statement further said pharmaceutical stores are also exempted from the lockdown.
Meanwhile, DAILY POST reports that the total lockdown of the state recorded impressive compliance by residents with all major roads and streets empty while security agencies kept vigil to strictly enforce the order by the state government.
Only people on essential services were allowed to be on the roads in accordance with the directive of the state government.
However, Inspite of the exemption granted pharmaceutical stores, banks, and petrol filling stations, only few petrol stations opened for business while banks, markets and pharmaceutical stores remained under lock and key.
