COVID-19: People Who Came For Christmas Celebration Responsible For Increasing Number – Abia Govt

Abia State Government has expressed worry over the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the state, alleging that this is attributable to the large influx of people who came into the state to celebrate Christmas and New year celebrations.

The state government in a statement issued on Thursday by the SSG, Barr. Chris Ezem while insisting that it is a responsible Government, added that it would continue to evolve ways to protect Abians, and environment with a view to preventing further community transmission.

While stating that the state government has designated centres for COVID-19 sample collection and test, Barr. Ezem said this does not come with a cost.

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He said, “That all Abians should make themselves available for covid-19 test. We wish to inform Abians that Government has set up Sample Collection Centres at the various Local Government Areas including Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Aba and Molecular Testing Laboratory at Amachara. All sample collections and tests are free of charge.

“As part of the measures to mitigate the effect of the pandemic in the State, all Abians are required to compulsorily wear their face masks at all times. Going forward, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Public Offices, Eateries, Hospitals and Banks are hereby directed to paste on all their entrances “No Face Mask, No Entry” notice/inscription. This is compulsory and failure to do so will attract sanction. In addition, such MDAs and public offices and places are required as a matter of necessity to provide all Covid-19 Protocols particularly running water and hand sanitizers within their offices.

“Government also directs all Local Government Chairmen, Traditional Institutions, Leadership of various Market Unions and Religious bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) etc to embark on Advocacy/Sensitization Exercise on Covid-19, and religious worship must be in line with laid down Covid-19 protocols.

“The State work force will still operate with Grade Level 12 and above and those on essential services will continue to work Mondays through Fridays.

” It is absolutely expedient that all Abians must take advantage of the ongoing community testing to ascertain their Covid-19 status.

“Our Isolation Centres are in operation and all our Medical Protocol Team are in place.

“The State Covid-19 Enforcement Team will immediately begin routine visit to public places to ensure compliance.

“Government directs all and sundry to observe the protocol of social distancing, hand washing, use of sanitizers and to take personal responsibility in order to save their families and loved ones”.