 |
| Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta. |
All schools, primary, secondary and
tertiary, are to close for a period of 30 days with from after school hours on
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has directed.
The directive was part of measures
taken to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic raving the world.
The governor in a state wide broadcast
today, Tuesday, March 24, 2020 also directed that “All workers on grade levels
1 -12 (except those on essential duties (Health Staff, Fire Services, Water
Corporation/agencies) are to stay at home effective 26th March, 2020.”
“
Biometric operations at all levels of
Government are hereby suspended till further notice
Malls, supermarkets, restaurants, banks,
hotels and bars must, in addition to providing Sanitizers at various entry
points, ensure social distancing by allowing only few persons at a time.
Market leaders to ensure that
Sanitizers are provided at all entry points to the markets. Failure to do this
will attract sanction from the Government.
All night clubs/lounges and cinemas
are to be closed forthwith.
All burials and social events must be
low-key, not attracting crowds of more than twenty (20) persons or be put off
indefinitely. Security Agencies will be directed to enforce this henceforth.
Social distancing must be complied with.
“The State Government is to
immediately convene a meeting with religious bodies and their leaders to enable
us take far-reaching decisions on worship. However, all crusades and
conferences must be suspended for now.
“All Local Government Council Chairmen are
hereby directed to urgently meet with traditional rulers and opinion leaders
(men/women) in their domain to partner with the State in carrying out this
advocacy to curtail the spread of the infection.
“All buses and taxis must provide hand
Sanitzers for travellers.
“All town union gatherings or youth
conferences/gatherings are prohibited
until further
notice.
“All political gatherings and conferences, summits and
gatherings involving more than 20
persons are
banned until further notice.
Below is full text of the governor’s
broadcast.
STATE BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
SENATOR, DR. IFEANYI OKOWA, GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE ON THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
ON TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020.
My Dear Deltans,
For the second time in one week, I am
addressing you on the coronavirus pandemic.
2. As
at 2 pm today, 24th March, 2020, the Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed
42 cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. While there is no case of COVID – 19 confirmed
in Delta State we must take some precautionary measures to prevent, as well as
limit infection if it occurs.
3. The
Multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group led by NCDC has activated its
national Emergency Operation Centre, and they are working closely with State
Health authorities.
4. I
wish to urge all Deltans to adhere strictly to the following precautionary
measures:
Wash your hands regularly and
thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 - 60 seconds and use
alcohol-based Sanitisers.
Social Distancing: maintain at least
two metres (six feet) between yourself and anyone, especially those coughing or
sneezing.
Persons who are coughing or sneezing
should stay home or keep a social distance. They should not mix in a crowd.
Ensure good respiratory hygiene by
coughing into your sleeve at the bent elbow or using tissue to cover your mouth
and nose. Then dispose of the tissue
immediately.
Deltans are advised to avoid all
non-essential travel within or outside the State.
It is important we realise that the
virus does not spread itself; it is spread by people.
If you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough and
have difficulty in breathing, call the following
numbers for guidance:- 0803 123 0480,
0803 123 0481
(viii) Do not engage in
self-medication.
5. My
dear Deltans, in the spirit of love for one another, any one of us who has
recently returned from high risk countries such as China, USA, Italy, Spain,
Germany, France, UK, Iran, South Korea, Japan, must self-isolate from friends,
family and others for minimum of 14 days. All who have had close contact with
those who visited these high incidence countries are also advised to
self-isolate for the same period.
6 On
our part, we have taken certain steps to mitigate the impact if and when cases
are detected in our State;
A multi-sectoral Committee has been put in
place and the State Emergency Operation Centre activated. Health Staff have
been selected and trained adequately.
(ii) The
State Government has completed a purpose-built Isolation Centre at the Federal
Medical Centre, Asaba. The centre is ready
for use.
(iii) Three
other Centres at the now completed central Hospital, Asaba; Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara and
Central Hospital, Warri are being
prepared as additional Centres.
(iv)
To protect healthcare personnel and increase capacity, Personal
Protective Equipment for health Staff are in stock and we have continued to
scout for more.
(v) The
State Government has also packaged incentives for critical health staff who
will be engaged in COVID-19 treatment and management.
In the last 48 hours, we have paid for
and taken delivery of 19 No. Ventilators
and a good number of Monitors for use by
our medical Staff.
(vi)
Other critical needs, including
Dialysis machines, dedicated for COVID -19 case management will be installed.
7. I
urge Deltans not to panic, but we must all commit to best behaviours by keeping
to the advice of the NCDC and State officials.
8. Please
do not spread false information on social media, as it will do us no good.
DIRECTIVES
All institutions of learning: Primary,
Secondary or Tertiary are to close for a period of 30 days at the end of School
hours on Wednesday, 25th March, 2020.
All workers on grade levels 1 -12
(except those on essential duties (Health Staff, Fire Services, Water
Corporation/agencies) are to stay at home effective 26th March, 2020.
Biometric operations at all levels of
Government are hereby suspended till further notice
Malls, supermarkets, restaurants, banks,
hotels and bars must, in addition to providing Sanitizers at various entry
points, ensure social distancing by allowing only few persons at a time.
Market leaders to ensure that
Sanitizers are provided at all entry points to the markets. Failure to do this
will attract sanction from the Government.
All night clubs/lounges and cinemas
are to be closed forthwith.
All burials and social events must be
low-key, not attracting crowds of more than twenty (20) persons or be put off
indefinitely. Security Agencies will be directed to enforce this henceforth.
Social distancing must be complied with.
The State Government is to immediately
convene a meeting with religious bodies and their leaders to enable us take
far-reaching decisions on worship. However, all crusades and conferences must
be suspended for now.
All Local Government Council Chairmen are
hereby directed to urgently meet with traditional rulers and opinion leaders
(men/women) in their domain to partner with the State in carrying out this
advocacy to curtail the spread of the infection.
All buses and taxis must provide hand
Sanitzers for
travellers.
All town union gatherings or youth
conferences/gatherings are prohibited
until further
notice.
All political gatherings and conferences, summits and
gatherings involving more than 20
persons are
banned until further notice.
9. Together
and with God on our side, we shall overcome this plague.
Office of the Governor
Government House
Asaba
March 2020
No comments:
Post a Comment