COVID-19: Abia reinstates ban on public gatherings

Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke

Umuahia

Abia State Government has reinstated the ban on public gatherings and compulsory wearing of facemasks in public places as the second wave of COVID-19 takes its toll on Nigeria.

This is coming as the state is set to map out a day to observe Abia COVID-19 day to lay emphasis on the pandemic and the need to ensure compliance to the rules to curtail its spread.

This will see all Abians and critical stakeholders on the streets to lay emphasis on the need to observe the COVID-19 protocols.

The Chairman of the COVID-19 Inter-Ministerial committee and Secretary to the State Government Chris Ezem made the revelation at a meeting with Abia traditional rulers, select religious leaders, security agencies and some stakeholders in Umuahia.

Ezem at the meeting said the second wave of COVID-19 cannot be taken for granted as the records from NCDC become frightening on daily basis, noting that the lives of Abians are more sacred than any other thing.

He revealed that Abia was returning to status quo as obtained in the first wave to curtail the spread of the virus and warned that noncompliance could lead to total lockdown.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Osuji revealed that the first nine months of the pandemic had Abia record 1015 cases, with over 300 cases between January and now, noting that this record calls for serious actions.

The commissioner called for collective action against the virus.

The State Epidemiologist, Peace Nwogwugwu and former Nigerian Medical Association Chairman, Dr. Caroline Iwuoha decried the unbelief among Abians and explained that simple personal hygiene, frequent wearing of facemasks, and social distancing are good preventive measures.

They both revealed that most cases recorded are as a result of ignorance and fear among the people and called for frequent testing and contact tracing.

Commissioner for Information John Okiyi Kalu frowned at the attitude of the people but applauded security agencies, religious bodies and traditional rulers for their efforts during the first wave and said the second wave was a clarion call for more actions.

Kalu appealed to religious bodies to please ensure compliance through the provision of handwashing soap and water as well as sanitizers for members.

To this end, the government has resolved as follows;

“That all churches, business centers and eateries are expected to boldly have an inscription at the entrance of their venues with the title ‘NO FACEMASKS, NO ENTRY’.

Wearing of facemask is compulsory while church activities must end at 2pm.

All market leadership must indicate ‘NO FACEMASKS, NO ENTRY’, at all market entrances.

All transport regulations remain as provided earlier. Tricycles must not carry more than two persons.

It is compulsory that everybody must be on facemasks, both passengers and drivers.

Hotels must also have the, ‘NO FACEMASKS, NO ENTRY’.

Government officials will pay unscheduled visits to these places and defaulters will pay a fine of N100,000 before being allowed to reopen.

Weddings and burials will go back to the initial protocol of not more than 50 persons.

Traditional rulers of all communities in conjunction with local government chairmen are to set up taskforce to monitor burials and weddings.