As a result of the resurgence and rising cases of covid-19 infections across Nigeria, Imo State government has decided to return to most of the preventive measure applied during the first heat of the pandemic outbreak.
To this end, the state government has ordered civil/public servants in the state to stay at home, with effect from Monday, December 21, 2020. This directive was contained in a broadcast made by the governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma to people of the state on Sunday, December 20, 2020.
The governor also disclosed that mobile courts have been positioned at strategic points in the state to arrest and prosecute violators of Covid 19 protocols such as; wearing of face masks, gathering more than hundred people without appropriate measures.
The governor in the broadcast said, “While I truly wish all of us a happy Christmas celebration in advance, I am duty bound to ensure that this should not be the last Christmas any of us will celebrate with his loved ones. This may sound scary but it is a grim possibility if we do not take urgent protective steps to stop Coronavirus on its tracks.
“There is a great global resurgence of the dreaded virus. With the reopening of international flights, movement of people across the globe is back on full stream. This has aided further spread of the virus. It is usual that at this Christmas season, our relations and friends from across the world and Nigeria will be coming home. Expectedly there is bound to be a great human traffic surge in Imo State. This ofcourse comes with its full implications for the spread of Covid 19.
“Already the effect of this frightful global resurgence and spike in Covid 19 infections is manifest in the country and Imo State.
“Sadly, while the grim realities of increasing Covid 19 infections continues to confront us every day, a general complacency and false sense of safety amongst our people to Covid 19 safety protocols remain the order of the day. This trend must be reversed in the interest of everyone. The time to do so is now.
“In this respect I want to emphasise that there is absolute need to avoid gathering of crowds of more than 100 people anywhere in the state. Where such crowds must gather, those involved must wear face masks
while there should be wash hand stands, readily available with achohol based sanitisers at such gatherings”.
He promised to regularly review the situation to determine measures that may be necessary as current situation may demand.
