A’Ibom govt cancels all state events

Etim Effiong

The Akwa Ibom State Government has cancelled all state events requiring large gathering, as the second wave of COVID-19 reveals 48 new cases in the state within two weeks.

Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary to the State Government and Chairman.COVID-19 Management Committee, said this during a press briefing tagged “Second Wave of COVID-19: Need for Strict Compliance with Guidelines and Protocols.

Ekwuwem cautioned Akwa Ibom residents against acts that might lead to another lockdown with its attendance consequences.

“Large political meetings are discouraged until the current spike of COVID-19 infections is reduced.

“Religious leaders must adhere strictly to the guidelines and protocols  for programmes as developed by the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN) and submitted to government.

“School Administrators must ensure  compulsory and proper use of face masks by students, teachers and everyone in the school premises. All COVID-19 guidelines and protocols must be strictly adhered to by everyone:

“Use of face masks remains compulsory in all public buildings, offices, public places,  tricycles, buses, cars, churches, mosques, markets, hotels and schools

“Social distancing must be maintained in all public events ( indoor and outdoor), in tricycles, cars, taxis, buses, schools, churches, etc.

“Regular hand washing with running water;  regular use of sanitizers in homes, offices, public buildings, schools, churches, mosques, hotels, markets, etc;

“Personal temperature measurements at entry points into all public buildings, churches, schools, etc ; high body  Temperatures are to be reported to the nearest medical facility.

“Hotels, bars, night clubs, restaurants, fastfood outlets and tourism resorts to adhere strictly to further specific guidelines and  protocols  as outlined by the COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocol Task Force of the Hotel and Tourism Management Board.

“All COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocol Compliance Monitoring Teams in Churches, Mosques,  Markets, Motor Parks, check points, etc, are hereby directed to increase the frequency, intensity, scope and scale of their monitoring activities,” Ekuwem said.

Ekuwem called on Akwa Ibom people to help curb the rapid spread of the dreaded virus by undertaking all necessary precautionary measures as issued  by WHO, NCDC, AKSG and other relevant public health Organisations.