Obaseki bars access to public gathering without COVID-19 vaccination certificate

 Governor Godwin Obaseki, who  on Monday announced the new normal during the flag-off of the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination exercise at the Government House, Benin, added that Covid-19 vaccination had become compulsory for residents of the state, adding that anyone who fails to get vaccinated would no longer be allowed into public  gatherings, such as churches, mosques, banks, wedding or burial receptions, among others.

The governor disclosed that the  Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines were available in the state but warned

against mixing and matching of vaccines of different manufacturers according to warning from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The governor said there was need to introduce stiffer measures because the third wave of COVID-19 is already having serious effects effects across the country.

According to Obaseki: “From what we have seen so far, the COVID-19 is here to stay, there may be other waves. We need to find a solution; that is why vaccination is very important. For us in Edo, we would push for vaccination to build immunity against the scourge. Our target s to vaccinate 60 per cent of our population in the next year.

“From the second week of September 2021, large gatherings will only be accessed by those who have at least taken one dose of the vaccine. From the second week, people will not be allowed to worship centres, event centres, and receptions without showing proof of the vaccination cards. From the middle of September, you can no longer access the banking services if you have not vaccinated.”