AKWA IBOM GOVT GIVES DATE WHEN LOCKDOWN WILL BE OVER, UNVIELS NEW MEASURES
AKWA IBOM State Government has announced a partial relaxation of some restrictions put in place to contain the spread of novel Coronavirus to open up the economy for business.
In a early morning broadcast, Mr. Udom Emmanuel Governor of Akwa Ibom State spoke on the status of relaxation of the lockdown on state radio from Monday 4, 2020
Mr Udom thanked the people of the state, health workers for their service to the people in this times.
“I thank you my dear people for the cooperation and understanding you have shown so far in fighting this pandemic. This is a challenge that has tested our collective resolve and layers of our mutual engagements. Never in the history of this nation, not even during the Civil War, have the freedoms we enjoy and sometimes take for granted: freedom of assembly, of association, of worship and movements been curtailed and enforced for the interest, overall wellbeing and common good of all. We did this, because the protection of life is the first and most cardinal element of the Social Contract.”
“Permit me also, to thank most sincerely and deeply our passionate and committed healthcare professionals and other support staff for the great care they have given to those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. I salute the dedication of these our brothers and sisters on the frontlines who, even at great personal risk, have not shied away from this noble duty. As a State, we are grateful to them and we ask God to bless them.
As I have always said, We were prepared for Covid-19. The investments we have made in secondary healthcare facilities, the world class isolation centre at the Ibom Specialist Hospital, the one in Ikot Ekpene, and the 300 – bed isolation centre at Ituk Mbang which will soon be ready have come in handy in our care and management of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The Governor further gave the following conditions for the relaxation of lockdown.
- The use of face mask by all persons is now compulsory in
public places - A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed all over the State from the hours of 8pm to 6am effective Monday, May 4th, 2020.
- The ban on religious gatherings, hospitality services, social
gatherings, parties, funerals and concerts remain in effect until further notice. All plazas and recreational centres are
to remain closed. - All schools will remain closed until further notice. However,
our School on Radio programme on AKBC Radio which has been hugely welcomed and popular will continue to address the instructional and teaching needs of our students until we are able to reopen schools. - Non-essential inter-State movements remain prohibited
except those involving agricultural produce or medical
personnel and equipment. - Markets will be opened three times a week, (Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays) between 10 am – 4 pm to enable people stock up their supplies. Face masks must be worn and social distancing must be observed by all.
- All passengers using public transport must make use of face mask. Tricycles must not carry more than three passengers. Taxis must carry a maximum of three persons (One in front and two behind), and buses must not carry more than two persons per row. All public transport operators must provide hand sanitizers in their vehicles. Also remember that the ban on commercial motorcycles within the precincts of Uyo capital city is still in effect.
- Farmers will be allowed to carry out their tasks and freely
transport their food items while wearing facemasks and not be more than three people in any given public transport vehicle. - Agricultural produce will be allowed free and easy movement
across the State – the use of face masks must be enforced…
Stay safe.
