With the recent surge in the second wave of the Covid 19 pandemic, the Abia state government, has reviewed the various Covid 19 protocol laid down at the first wave of the pandemic, saying no Church, Ministries,Agencies,Parastatal,Hotels,others should be allowed to operate without the “No facemask,No Entering inscription.
This is coming, after a three hours meeting held with Religious leaders, Traditional rulers, Security Outfits and some selected stakeholders, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium,Umuahia to review the various Covid 19 safety measures.
According to the Chairman of the Abia Covid 19 Inter-ministerial Committee,Barr Chris Ezem,said it became very pertinent for the government to call on relevant stakeholders to come together and review the initial laid down covid 19 protocol,as a result of the fast spread of the second wave of the pandemic in Nigeria,with Abia having its toll, of over 300 cases recorded within January to February 2021.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Osuji, lamented the Covid 19 toll on Nigeria, particularly in Abia, that has recorded over 300 cases in one month, saying that personal hygiene should be observed at all times.
The State Epidemiologist,Lady Peace Nwogwugwu and the former Abia chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association,Dr Caroline Iwuoha, in their respective speeches, expressed disaffection over the non practice of the laid down protocol by Abians, stating that their negligence towards these measures,is as a result of the unbelieve.
According to them,many people still doubt the existence of the virus, while some assume the government put up the virus scare to syphone funds.
The duo further advocated for Abians to keep up with the practice of regular hand washing,use of facemask,hand sanitizers and observe social distancing, stating that the virus is real and as a way of flattening the curve,the state would begin community testing to find out those already infected with the virus,as the state cannot afford. second lock down.
The commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, disclosed that Abia still remains the most successful state in managing covid 19, enjoining religious leaders to assist the state in the fight against covid 19 by following strictly the safety guidelines during and after their worships.
Interacting with the Press, the Abia state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), Apostle Emmanuel Agomoh, assured government of total compliance to the laid down rules, saying he would pass a message across all churches in the state to observe the covid 19 protocol during their worships.
Apostle Agomoh also revealed that the church would come out enmesse during the campaign and sensitization of Abians on Covid 19.
The Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia,Most Rev. Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, admonished Christians to follow all guidelines, saying that they need to stay alive first,as it is only those who are alive that can go to church.
Opoko, however, called on Abians to obey all protocol, stating that it is better to wear a facemask of #100, than to pay a fine of #5000 for non compliance.
The Government further reviewed the Covid 19 protocol as follows;
1. 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”. While church weekly activities have been restricted to two and all Sunday Worship must end at 2pm.
2. All Market leadership must provide “NO FACEMASKS, NO ENTRY”, at all Entrance and Exit points of the Market
3. All Transport regulations remains as provided earlier. Tricycle known as keke must not carry more than 2 passengers. The riders must remember that Government has reviewed their fees downwards because they are required to carry only two passengers, while Mini buses(Oke Bekee) will carry only four passengers and Buses nine passengers. And it is compulsory that everybody must be on their facemasks both passengers and drivers.
4. Regulations as it affects eateries also affects the hospitality industry that is hotels and the “NO FACEMASKS, NO ENTRY” policy applies here too. Receptionists and everyone at the hotels must wear facemasks and running waters/soap with alcohol based hand sanitizers must be provided at the reception for the use of everyone coming to the hotel. Government officials will pay unscheduled visits to these places and all defaulters will pay a fine of #100,000 before it will be reopened.
5. Weddings and Burial ceremonies will go back to the initial protocols of not more than 50 persons and they must get approval from the Government before any burial would hold.
In this vein, Traditional rulers of all communities in conjunction with Local Government Chairmen of the communities are to set up taskforce to monitor burials and weddings with the state stamp and authority to put off any wedding or burial that contravenes the laws. The state Government cannot afford to lose the live of any Abian because the second wave is on a serious note.
6. Every Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Parastatal, are to ensure that the “NO FACEMASKS, NO ENTRY” banner is placed at every entrance. It is compulsory and must provide running water and soap or alcohol based hand sanitizers.
7. All private and public schools are to ensure compliance with COVID-19 protocols as earlier established. Well meaning Abians can also help government and other public institutions with the provision of facemasks, and other needed items for the pupils and students to help fight the pandemic.
8. Wearing of facemasks is now in place. Once you contravene the law, you will pay a fine of #5000. The mobile courts will be in place.
9. Abia COVID-19 Day will be launched soonest. It will begin at the Local Government to the state level. All Abians are expected to come out wearing their facemasks on the streets of Abia to enforce COVID-19 protocols.
10. Community Testing and sample collection is ongoing at all the 17 Local Government Areas.
11. Also all Night Clubs are hereby ban from operation till further notice,any operator caught flouting this order,will have his club shut down, while night vigils and crusades are stopped forthwith.
Government urges everyone to comply with the committee to ensure that the guidelines are followed without any challenge,while asking all traditional institutions and religious bodies to urge her members to go for testing, know their status as the collection and testing is free. The medical teams are operating 24 hours, ready to nurse anybody back to life. Everyone is urged to take the fight seriously and the fight against COVID-19 will be fought to a logical end. While Government calls for collective responsibility of all, it is expected that together Abia will win the war against COVID-19.
