The government also barred all those who are yet to take the COVID vaccine from accessing public places

Governor Godwin Obaseki had initially said from the middle of September, unvaccinated persons would be denied access to banks, government offices, worship and event centres.

This had generated an outrage as a group went to court, seeking to restrain the government from carrying out its threat but the governor stood his ground.

On Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Health, Osamwonyi Irowa, said with effect from September 15, 2021, the state will commence the enforcement of the “no vaccination card, no access to public places” policy.

Irowa said the government had trained 20 special teams that will enforce the policy across the 18 local governments of the state.

“Beginning from September 15, Civil servants and others without COVID-19 vaccination cards will not be allowed into public facilities. Government House and public places will be manned by the task force.”

“Those civil servants without the cards and those who have not vaccinated will have to stay and work from home. This will be applicable in the 18 local government areas of the state.”

He said the government has a device that will detect whether vaccination cards presented is fake or not, saying that they are aware that some people will try to be smart.

Irowa disclosed that the state recorded 33 new cases, three deaths including a 28-year-old pregnant woman and 114 recoveries.

According to him, refusing to get vaccinated and non-adherence to the pharmaceutical measure of preventing COVID-19 is responsible for the high death rate in the state.

He, however, advised residents to get themselves vaccinated and protect their loved ones.

He said the government is not forcing anyone to take the vaccine but “if you don’t have the vaccination card you can’t access our public facilities”