Market officials in Osun State have been warned to be conscious of their safety in the face of the surge in COVID-19 cases and the new deadly Delta variant.

Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation Mrs Funke Egbemode spoke  on Thursday at Alamisi Market in Ikirun, while launching a sensitisation programme on the virus resurgence

The stay-safe-campaign is scheduled for major markets in the three senatorial districts.

Egbemode, who was represented by Coordinating Director in the ministry, Mrs. Olubukola Aderibigbe, lamented that those in the market had abandoned safety protocols.

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The commissioner advised  market officials, traders and customers to resume observance to safety protocols to forestall another regime of restrictions with its accompanying difficulties.

Speaking at the rally at the  Ikirun palace square market, veteran actress Toyin Oladiran, popularly known as ‘Abeni Agbon’, stressed that the Delta variant was deadlier than the earlier ones.

Oladiran warned market users to drop their lackadaisical attitude towards the disease.

Babaloja-General of Ikirunland Chief Abayomi Adeyemo  promised that with effect from Monday, there would be hand washing materials and sanitisers at every entrance.

In their separate speeches, Iyaloja Olabisi Olaoye and Elemoso Iyalode of Ikirunland, Chief Kudirat Olabisi promised to enforce compliance to safety precautions.

Both asked traders to come with facemasks to avoid being barred from the market.

The new Delta variant was earlier confirmed by health authorities in many states.