NSF: Edo allays fear over Coronavirus, Lassa fever

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has enjoined athletes, officials and visitors to Edo 2020 National Sports Festival not to entertain fear of contacting Coronavirus or Lassa fever during the festival.
Shaibu, at a world press conference in Benin City on Friday, said government was aware of the diseases and had evolved measures that would prevent contact with them during the games.
He said no fewer than 11,000 athletes from the 36 states of the federation were expected to participate in the festival, scheduled to hold in the state from March 22 to April 1.
The deputy governor said government had ensured that the games villages were equipped with basic amenities and prepared to give health tips to the athletes and visitors.
He said: “We will be sensitising them on how to avoid and prevent any disease.
“We will ensure that the games villages do not also lack water and other necessities that will help to prevent any outbreak of epidemic.”
Shaibu, who assured that the games villages and event centres would have clinics, said the University of Benin Teaching Hospital would be used as referral centre for extreme cases.
According to him, the issue of logistics, especially transportation, will not be a challenge during the festival.
Shaibu said adequate buses had been provided to convey athletes and officials to games venue and games villages, adding that visitors would also be provided with good transportation system.
He said: “We have made provision for enough buses during the games, and routes have also been mapped out to ensure seamless transport systems for the festival.
“As part of the mapping, special routes have been dedicated for the athletes and officials.
“We have also worked the transport system in such a way that ensures free flow of traffic.
“We will not be allowing any vehicular movement within 200 to 300 metres close to the stadium and other sporting centres for the visitors.”
Shaibu added that athletes and officials would, however, be allowed 50 metres close to the stadium.