The Abia state governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has invoked the Abia state Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020 and other extant laws thereby making it mandatory for all residents of Abia State and those visiting and or passing through Abia State shall wear authentic face masks in all public places.
This is even as the state prepares to lift the restriction of movements that is now in its second week, a move to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In a statement he personally signed on Tuesday, the governor said, “In exercise of the powers conferred on me by paragraph 15(2) of the Abia state Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020 and other extant laws, I, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu (Ph.D.), Governor of Abia State hereby directs:
“That with effect from 15th day of April 2020, all residents of Abia State and those visiting and or passing through Abia State shall wear authentic face masks in all public places such as markets, petrol stations, shops, shopping malls, event centers, bars, hotels, places of worship, educational institutions, prisons, offices, etc.
“That all occupiers of premises where members of the public visit for commercial, ceremonial, religious, charity, and or educational purposes shall provide hand sanitizers and or running water with soap to enable visitors to these places sanitize and or wash their hands before entering the premises”.