BY DAYO ADESULU
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has suspended traditional marriage ceremonies, community festivals, ofala festivals, masquerade festivals, Igbankwu nwanyi, funeral ceremonies, baby christening, new yam festivals and title-taking ceremonies for two weeks.
In a release, Obiano said: ””All public gatherings are hereby suspended in Anambra State for 14 days with effect from Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
”This includes traditional marriage ceremonies, community festivals, ofala festivals, masquerade festivals, Igbankwu nwanyi, funeral ceremonies, baby christening, new yam festivals, title-taking ceremonies and any meeting of more than 30 participants. Traditional rulers and President General of Communities must ensure full compliance or be held responsible.
Obiano explained that the suspension came in response to the growing threat of the CoronaVirus Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of Anambra State has come out with the following measures to keep Anambra people safe.
He said: ” Civil servants in the state are hereby directed to proceed on a 14-day stay-at-home with effect from Tuesday, March 24, 2020. However, any civil servant may be called upon at any given time to handle an urgent assignment as the case arises. This directive excludes all healthcare workers and officers on essential duty.
”All nursery, primary, secondary, vocational and tertiary schools are hereby closed with immediate effect. All academic and extra-curricular activities are hereby suspended.
” All public transport operators are directed to submit the manifest of all passengers coming into Anambra State to the appropriate authorities with their names, phone numbers, residential addresses and final destination.
”The general public is mandated to maintain a habit of frequent hand-washing with soap and water as well as use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
” No Keke or tricycle rider should carry more than two passengers at a time.
” Drivers of shuttle buses must not carry more than 3 passengers at a time.
” Drivers of township and minibuses must not carry more than 5 passengers at a time.
”The public is strongly advised to only visit the markets for essential commodities.
”All night clubs are hereby closed until further notice.
” Operators of bars and restaurants should not admit more than 30 customers at a time and must adhere strictly to the basic standards of social distancing. They must also provide hand-washing points and hand sanitizers for their customers.
”All persons returning to Anambra State from all countries of the world must go into self-isolation for 14 days and report.
”Security Agencies have been directed to ensure full compliance.
”We have constituted an Action Committee on Covid-19 headed me to ensure and hands-on attention to the best was of containing this plague.
All calls related to suspected Covid-19 should be routed to Anambra Public Health |Emergency Operation Center on 08030953771 and 08117567363.
