CONORAVIRUS: ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT ORDERS LOCKDOWN OF BORDERS BY APRIL 1, 2020
Abia State Government is to commence full lockdown on movement, interstate borders and markets with effect from Wednesday April 1, 2020.
The order, which is for an initial period of four weeks is subject to weekly reviews. A statement by the Secretary to the Abia State Government, Mr. Chris Ezem, and other members of the Inter Ministerial Committee on COVID 19, called on residents to stay at home, noting that only food and grocery sellers would be allowed to operate in front of their houses.
It said in view of the envisaged lockdown, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had approved the setting up of a food security sub committee to plan necessary palliative interventions in case of a prolonged lockdown with the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. John Okiyi Kalu, as chairman.
The statement advised against non essential movements within and outside the state and encouraged indigenes of the state who were currently living outside the state to remain at those locations pending full containment of the rampaging pandemic. It said a protocol sub committee had been set up to review and domesticate WHO and Nigeria Center For Disease Control (NCDC) protocols on response and management of any outbreak.
This is with a view to aligning with existing health infrastructure in the state. The statement directed immediate and full enforcement of the previous guidelines on social distancing by security agencies with defaulters handed over to mobile courts for further action.
The statement further noted with concern the partial compliance by tricycle operators, directing security agents to henceforth apprehend any defaulter for trial. It warned all establishments in the state, particularly hotels, eateries and restaurants, to comply with the guidelines or be shut down.
According to the statement, residents should ensure they wash their hands regularly with soap and water, and report suspicious individuals, who entered from outside the state through the Abia Telehealth number: 0700 2242 362.
PR/CHINEDU