Ogun State Government has announced the closure of all borders with neighbouring states and the international border with the Republic of Benin effective from 12 midnight on Sunday, 29th March, 2020.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kunle Somorin, the closure would be in effect for two weeks in the first instance.
According to the statement, “With this restriction order, movement in and out of the state has been banned as a further measure to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
“The state is constrained to effect border closure in order to stem and flatten the curve of the spread of the dreaded coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, not only in the state but in the country and in the West African sub-region.
“The position of Ogun State is peculiar. It not only shares an international border with the Republic of Benin, but it also does so with all other states in the South West (except Ekiti), including Lagos State, which has understandably recorded the highest number of infections in the country largely because it hosts the busiest air and seaports and it’s the nation’s economic capital.
“The border closure will not only be beneficial to Ogun State but the national efforts to curtail and contain the virus. Lessons from other climes strongly indicate that closure of borders has the potential to drastically flatten the curve of spread whilst unrestricted movement portends grave dangers.”
The statement however said the only exceptions to the interstate restrictions are vehicles conveying personnel involved in essential services such as security agencies, health workers, food and medical items, and petroleum products.