In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde on Tuesday began rapid testing for COVID-19 in the state.

He stated that the outcome of the exercise would determine the next course of action by his administration.

The governor stated this at the commencement of the ‘COVID-19 Drive-Through-Walk-through Testing’ initiative for 2,000 residents within two weeks at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

Makinde disclosed that the rapid testing initiative was sponsored by the Citizen for Citizen, a non-governmental organisation headed by the Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, Mrs Ibukun Awosika.

He said the initiative tallied with his administration’s plan to test 10,000 residents of the state.

The governor said the state was scaling up testing in alignment with experts’ opinions that the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19, was through mass testing.

He also defended the state government’s decision not to impose lockdown on the state.

The governor stated,

“We have seen the results of more extensive lockdowns in neighbouring states. Yet, we are not celebrating a win, because this is not a competition.