Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has ordered the re-opening of hotels ,viewing centres, marquees, event centres, suites, guest houses and motels for business as well as other establishments providing accommodation for Tourists, following the continuous flatten in the curve of the spread of Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria.
The governor ordered their re-opening on Wednesday, after more than six months of shutting down the tourism sector of the state economy to contain the spread of the pandemic in the state.
Also to re-open for business are Entertainment, Restaurants, Eateries, Fast Food, Lounges, Bars, and Cinemas which compliment the hotel and hospitality business in the tourism sector.
Edu-Biznews had earlier in the month reported the plea of Hoteliers in the state , calling on the government to re-open their businesses and completely waive the taxes for the year, to enable them stabilize their operations, having been out of business for most part of the year.
Abiodun in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin in Abeokuta, the state capital,further directed that schools, markets and religious centres in the State can also revert to their regular programme of activities as obtained before the lockdown occasioned by the dreaded virus.
The governor had earlier in August ordered partial re-opening of the religious centres and later Schools on September 21.
Abiodun however asked the hospitality establishments to scrupulously adhere to a set of guidelines in order to keep up with the protocols aimed at further flattening the curve of COVID-19.
According to him “Government is aware of the excruciating implications of COVID-19 lockdown but we have emplaced measures and improved on testing to stem the tide.
"Empirical field research indicates that we have managed to stem community spread and treatment of the virus very well. We are convinced that opening of schools and entertainment centres would not harm our people. We would continue to monitor the development,”the governor stated
While reinstating the need to rebuild the economy, the State government maintained that it was irrevocably committed to the successful implementation of the “Building our Future Together” Agenda and as such would do everything possible to ensure that the people have increased prosperity that would place the State on a sound footing towards continued development.
Abiodun warned that government would not hesitate to do selective lockdown should there be any flagrant disobedience to the set COVID-19 protocols.
The governor listed the conditions for the reopening of the entertainment centres to include, Observance of temperature checks at all entry points,
Compulsory use of face masks within the premises/facilities and maintenance of two-metre social distancing by marking the floor to guide their customers on physical distancing in addition,Owners of business premises are required to offer only 50% of their space capacity to guests.
Other conditions are maintenance of physical distancing with a maximum of four persons per table, while Buffet services are not allowed.
Operators in the hospitality business are expected to obtain license and safety clearance from government ,prior to holding of any event while those operating cinemas must not exceed 10pm.
The statement added that all centres are to provide noise-proof equipment in the various facilities to ensure that they do not disturb the serenity of the neighbourhoods where they operate.
While calling on owners of these facilities to cooperate with the State Government, the governor warned that facilities that defy these guidelines would be sanctioned.
"Let me say that our Task Force is already on the ground and is moving about to ensure compliance".
"And, if perchance we discover that any of our centres is not complying or adhering to the laid down protocols, we will not hesitate to close down the centre," Abiodun warned.
Violation of these conditions, the statement concluded, would attract severe sanctions including, but not limited to fine and closure of premises.
No comments:
Post a Comment