As part of measures to curtail the deadly COVID-19 virus, the Abia state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has vowed to totally close down private schools, markets, abattoirs and others if they fail to comply with the directive of providing hand sanitizers to their customers and students.
The governor similarly urged the state’s Ministry of Health and that of Education to expedite action to ensure that all public schools in the state are supplied with hand sanitizers and handwashing materials.
The governor in a release jointly signed by the Secretary to State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Osuji and the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu and made available to ABN TV also directed that all public and private primary and secondary schools in the state ensure they conclude their examinations on or before Friday, 27th March 2020.
“In the interim, the state ministry of education in conjunction with that of health should make sure the distribution of handwashing materials and sanitizers to schools is expedited and concluded. Private schools are expected to provide similar items in their schools or risk immediate closure.
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“All market associations in the state are to ensure that members provide running water and sanitizers for customers and traders in their shops within 48 hours or risk immediate closure.
“Operators of abattoirs in the state are also to comply with this directive or risk immediate closure.
“All residents of the state are strongly advised to practice social distancing by sitting/standing a minimum of 1.5m apart while discussing with each other, maintain good hygiene practices and general environmental awareness” the statement read.
The governor also read the riot act to those who may want to hold burial ceremonies, weddings and other social functions.
“No burial, wedding and other ceremonies, for the next 4 weeks, should involve more than 30 persons who must ensure that they sit/stand at least 1.5m apart from each other. Security agents have been briefed to ensure full enforcement.
“Religious worship centers are to ensure that for the next 4 weeks not more than 50 persons attend any of their worship streams and programs with a minimum sitting or standing distance of 1.5m apart from each other.
“Henceforth, all tricycles (Keke) operators in the state should carry only a maximum of 2 passengers per time and they must sit at the back with only the rider in front.
“Mini Buses popularly called “Oke Bekee” are to carry only 5 passengers per time while 14-seater buses are to carry only a maximum of 5 passengers per time with none in front except the driver.
“All inter-state bus parks or terminals must procure and deploy digital thermometers for the screening of inbound and outbound passengers as well as provide hand sanitizers and handwashing materials for use by all staff and passengers or risk immediate closure.
“Abians and other residents are strongly advised to shelve nonessential travels and movements till further notice.
“All hotels and hospitality establishments in the state must screen guests/staff and provide hand sanitizers before they are lodged or allowed access. Suspicious guests are to be reported immediately with full personal details and contact information.
“All night club activities are hereby banned in the state until further notice.
” Local Government Chairmen are to immediately hire town criers to continuously educate our people on how to prevent and protect themselves from Coronavirus. Failure to launch this Grassroots information service within 48 hours will attract sanctions. Town unions are also to be engaged to further sensitize our people on the need to maintain good hygiene and protect themselves from Coronavirus.
“All Abians, visitors and residents are advised to call the Abia Tele-Health Center via 0700 ABIA DOC or 0700 2242 362 for enquiries on Coronavirus and reporting of health concerns.
“Those who suspect that they have symptoms of Coronavirus are strongly advised to call the Abia Tele-Health number 07002242362 for dispatch of ambulances or mobile clinics to pick them up. We strongly advise against suspected patients showing up at medical facilities in the state without going through the call and pick up services to avoid inadvertently infecting the others in our medical facilities. All 8 state-owned ambulances, 4 mobile clinics and private ambulances, have been positioned across the 3 geopolitical zones of the state for rapid response. The staff has also been properly trained with personal protection materials provided.
“The state’s free home care for elderly person program will be immediately expanded to ensure that they visit senior citizens at home and provide necessary care to them.
“The ongoing pensioner’s verification exercise must be concluded and shut down on Friday, March 27, 2020. In the interim, sanitizers and handwashing facilities must continue to be provided at all locations.
“All MDAs, parastatals and LGA offices in the state are to operate at a maximum of 20% staff strength, from Monday, March 30th, 2020, as determined by the head until further notice. All other workers are to stay at home from where they will continue to receive due to wages.
“The state ministry of transport is hereby directed to set up an appropriate surveillance system to monitor railway stations and inter-state bus terminals in the state.
“Furthermore, an enforcement committee that will ensure full compliance has been set up with the following coordinators:
Dr. Solomon Ogunji (Chairman)
Sir Onyi Wamah
Chief Sopuruchi Beke
Dr. KCK Nwangwa
Barr. Ekele Nwaohamuo
Dr. Jonathan Osuji
Dr. Felix Chinwendu Joe
DCP Alfa Jibrin
Meshach Jatau
Dr. Uba Nwugha
Mr. Bright Ikeokwu
Chief Ezinwa Abiri
Hon. Kingsley Nnaji
Hon Obinna Friday
“We wish to emphasize that there are no recorded cases of Coronavirus in Abia as of today and we continue to hope and pray that God will keep the state free of the virus while working hard to put necessary measures in place to protect all and sundry. Citizens, residents and visitors are strongly advised to take individual measures to protect themselves and loved ones as well as strictly follow guidance from this committee and medical professionals.
“We will continue to review all measures on a day to day basis and give the people regular briefings” the statement concluded.
