Oyo Government To Shut Its Borders Over Coronavirus

Oyo State Government has revealed that it may likely impose travel restrictions at the State’s entry points, as part of measures for containing the Coronavirus pandemic in the State.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA), Dr. Akin Fagbemi said this on Wednesday during an interview at COVID-19 situation Room on a popular radio station in Ibadan.

The Executive Chairman said, the State Government would only allow essential travels into the State, which would be subjected to thorough health checks.

He said “All entry points into Oyo State (land and airways) may soon be closed. Entry and transit by any vehicle would be subjected to robust health check of all passengers”.

Dr. Fagbemi revealed that OYRTMA has prepared for the challenging times, the State is in, and has put efforts in place to closely monitor the State’s borders.

Noting that the transportation sector could be a major carrier of COVID-19, if not properly managed, Dr. Fagbemi called on transport companies, transport unions and terminal operators to keep a travel manifest for inbound and outbound passengers, especially verified phone numbers.

Urging them to provide hand-wash stands and sanitizers in their garages, he called on passengers to cooperate with them by washing their hands with soap and water and sanitize them before boarding, adding that recalcitrant passengers should be denied boarding if they fail to comply with the hygiene procedures.