Edo Residents Without COVID-19 Vaccination To Be Denied Access To Church, Banks

From the second week of September, Edo State residents who have not been vaccinated for COVID19 will be denied access to public and private places, including banks, events and worship centres.

The State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, announced this on Monday in Benin, while flagging off the second phase of Coronavirus vaccination exercise, adding that this became necessary to protect residents of the State.

He said adequate arrangements had been made with security agencies to prevent anybody who did not have vaccination cards to access any of these places.

According to Obaseki, “Beginning from the second week of September 2021, large gatherings, as well as high traffic public and private places will only be accessed by persons who have proof of taking at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination. People who have not yet been vaccinated at all will depend on remote access to these gatherings.

“From the second week of September people may not be allowed to worship in churches and mosques without showing proof of their vaccination cards at the gates.

“Similarly, people will not be allowed at event centers, receptions or parties, without showing proof of their vaccination cards.”

“People will not be allowed to access banking services from the middle of September 2021, if they are not vaccinated.

“We have made adequate arrangements with security agencies to prevent anybody who doesn’t have vaccination cards to access any of these places. We are doing this to protect our citizens and all these measures will remain until the pandemic passes away,” Obaseki stated.

Obaseki said his administration would continue to strictly enforce all non-pharmaceutical measures to contain the pandemic in the state, adding that activities to mark Edo’s 30th year anniversary had been scaled down significantly in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

He said the new regulation was not to create hardship on the people but to protect their lives and livelihood while the pandemic lasts, assuring citizens that the “vaccine is available and free for all. We will not abandon you at this time of the pandemic.”