Mr Abayomi Adesanya, the Caretaker Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government Council of Ondo State, on Friday, distributed face masks to residents as part of the efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had ordered the compulsory use of face masks by residents of the state to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The masks were distributed at markets, army barracks, police stations and health centres among other places in the council.

Adesanya, who was represented during the distribution exercise by his Press Secretary, Mr Martins Fasusi, said that the initiative was to complement the efforts of the state government in the fight against the pandemic.

He also said that the residents of the council needed to be aware that the coronavirus existed and should take preventive measures against it.

“The distribution of the face masks is to complement the efforts of the state government in containing the spread of coronavirus pandemic in our council.

“This is also to tell residents that the COVID-19 exists and one of the preventive and protective measures is to always put on the face masks,” he said.

Adesanya urged residents to adhere strictly to all government precautionary measures such as regular hand washing, keeping social distance and avoiding handshaking and hugging among others.