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The Governor of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, on Thursday gave security agencies an order to arrest anybody found without face masks in the state.

The governor said the order was necessary to save the people from contracting the COVID-19.

It was reported that no fewer than 13 people had contracted the virus in the state.

The governor spoke at the distribution of 150,000 face masks in Akure, the state capital.

He said tailors in the state produced 500,000 face masks for the state government, out of which 150,000 was distributed to the people on Thursday.

Akeredolu reiterated that wearing of face masks was compulsory in the state and anyone caught violating the order would be arrested and kept in the isolation centre for 14 days.

He said:

“Wearing of face masks in public places is mandatory for every resident in the state. The enforcement has already commenced.

“It is significant for me to inform the public that whoever is arrested for not wearing the face mask will be kept in the isolation centre for 14 days and have his specimen taken to be tested for the virus. Such individual will be responsible for his or her upkeep at the centre.”

Akeredolu added that the face masks were produced according to specifications of the World Health Organisation and materials deployed met the prescribed global medical standard.

Apart from the COVID-19, the governor explained that the mass production of the face masks had empowered many tailors in the state, as 400 of them were engaged and had been paid for the work done.

The chairman of the distribution committee of the face masks, Mr Gani Muhammed-Ajowa, commended the government for its commitment to the welfare of the people of the state, adding that the government would still produce more of the face masks.