BREAKING: Ikpeazu Reels Our Conditions As Abia Relaxes Lockdown To Celebrate Easter

As Christians prepare to celebrate Easter on Sunday, the Abia state governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has temporarily relaxed the extended lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state with conditions.

He said while worshippers are free to move around within the hours of 6 am on Friday, April 10 (Good Friday) and 2 pm on Sunday, April 12 (Easter Sunday),2020, they must observe all conditions attached to the slight relaxation, maintaining that weddings, burials and other social gatherings in the state remain banned till the expiration of the lockdown.

In a release signed and made available to ABN TV by the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the COVID-19 Committee, Barr. Chris Ezem, the governor charged Christians and Muslims in the state to use the opportunity to pray for God’s mercy and intervention in the state in particular and country at large.

“In view of the impending Easter Celebrations, the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD has magnanimously approved a relaxation of the extended 7 Day Lockdown in the State.

“Accordingly, there would be free movement of people within the State ONLY between the hours of 6 am on Friday, April 10(Good Friday) and 2 pm on Sunday, April 12(Easter Sunday),2020.

“Accordingly, religious worshippers shall be free to worship at their various churches and mosques but must compulsorily observe the following guidelines –

“Not more than 50 persons per stream of worship and a social distance of 1.5m must be maintained.

“All worshippers MUST wear face mask.

“Churches and Mosques MUST provide a minimum of 4 points for handwashing with running water and soap.

“Hand sanitizers MUST also be provided at different points for the use of intending worshippers” he said.

The governor also reiterated that the State and Local Government Enforcement Teams and Security Operatives shall continue to move around to ensure strict compliance.

“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu hereby enjoins all religious worshippers to use this period to pray for God’s intervention and mercy upon our dear State Abia, our nation Nigeria and the entire world over this dreaded pandemic.

“It must be clearly understood that this relaxation order DOES NOT extend to Public Gatherings such as burial ceremonies, weddings, meetings, clubbing, etc. The initial order on these activities remain valid and subsisting.

“All our State borders remain closed and Security Operatives must continue to ensure strict compliance.

“All public places allowed to operate like Supermarkets and Malls MUST NOT entertain more than 10 persons at a time subject to differences in size and must maintain minimum STANDARDS of hygiene by providing handwashing materials, sanitizers and digital thermometers.

“Government shall immediately shut down any business concern that flouts these directives.

“The Governor urges all Abians, as a matter of collective responsibility, to be vigilant at all times and report any suspected case of COVID-19 around their environs.

“Finally, the 7 Day Extension shall continue from 3pm on Sunday, April 12 to Friday, April 17, 2020.

“Government appreciates Ndi Abia, all Frontline Service Providers, and all those on Essential Services for their support and sacrifice at this difficult period, and encourages all and sundry to continue to support the Government fight against the pandemic by complying with all professional advice, safety tips and government directives throughout this period.” he concluded.

Thank you.

Barrister Chris Ezem
Secretary to Abia State Government and Chairman of the COVID-19 Committee, Abia State.