The Governor of Ondo State; Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; has announced the automatic employment of three casual workers into the State Civil Service. He made this announcement on Monday at the Government House, Akure, during the weekly Press Briefing on the disturbing rise in the number of cases of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The three casual workers include two Health Officers and a driver with the Ondo State Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), who contacted the virus in the course of their duties.
The three victims are among the recently discovered four cases by NCDC in the state with a Police Officer as the fourth case.
Akeredolu further announced the approval of new special hazard allowances for health workers in the state as a reward for the contributions towards the fight of the virus in the state.
“I have also approved that all Health workers in the state be paid 50% of their consolidated basic salary as hazard allowance”.
“Furthermore, all healthcare workers working directly in the Isolation Centre/Treatment Centre are to get additional 20% of their 50% as special risk allowance, they will also get a top-up lump sum from the funds of the PTF (amount yet to be determined).”
In the address, the Governor urged residents of the state to increase their compliance with government’s regulations by continuing to observe perfect hygienic measures, social distancing and other precautions towards a successful curtailing of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor urged people of the state to be vigilant and report unusual gatherings of people. The Governor revealed that there would be total blockade of the state’s borders and only vehicular movements of essentials will be allowed to pass through the borders. He also said that there will also be selected days for the opening of major markets in the state. These; among others; according to the Governor, will be, henceforth, the stricter and tighter measures to be used in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shortly before the Governor’s address, the State Commissioner for Health; Dr. Wahab Adegbenro; revealed in a brief speech that 276 people have been tested so far for the virus. While 13 are presently positive, 3 have been discharged and 10 are currently on admission.
