Residents of Edo frown at “No COVID-19 green card, No entry” policy of govt.
Residents of Edo State have frowned at the Edo State Government’s restrictions imposed on persons without COVID-19 green cards.
Some of the residents who spoke to newsmen on Wednesday said it was unnecessary to impose restrictions because of the COVID-19 vaccination green card.
Some civil servant in Edo State Civil Commission, Central Hospital Benin and Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), said that the policy of no card no entry was serious.
Ehisunwen Ogbebor, a civil servant said that majority of workers in the state had been vaccinated due to the latest rules.
She said that without the green card, workers were not allowed into ministries and government agencies in the state.
“I have been vaccinated. At first I did not want to take the vaccine, but it started affecting my job. Since I took the vaccine I have been fine,” she said.
Ayowe Victor, a businessman, said that private sectors had joined the policy of no card no entry in the state.
“I am presently at BEDC Akpakpava. The security here requested for my vaccination card before entrance.
“The government needs to strategize on how everyone would get vaccinated, because majority of persons are borrowing green cards to enable gain access into some specific places.
“I have not taken the vaccine because I have high blood pressure. I feel I would have problems if I take the vaccine. I am very scared,” he said.
Asagba Isreal, another businessman, said that restriction of movement or blocking entrances of state buildings would not change the mind of people towards the vaccine.
“Most people have refused the vaccines because of the state of their health.
“Majority of adults are already suffering from one sickness. COVID-19 vaccination to them is not an option,” he said.
Edo State government had earlier announced that citizens unvaccinated with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be barred from all state government-owned facilities from Tuesday, September 15, 2021.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Osamwonyi Irowa, said at a media briefing that the mandate would help the state curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government had trained 20 special teams to enforce the mandate across all 18 local government areas of the state.
The teams would scan and confirm the authenticity of vaccination cards and ensure those that were unvaccinated were refused entry.
“If you have to enter the state secretariat you must have your vaccination card, we are going to implement this in all the key areas to ensure that we don’t have persons being infected because the other person is being difficult,” Irowa said.
He appealed to citizens to get vaccinated so as to curtail the spread of the disease, and lessen the severity of infection.
