Abia State Government warns that churches who carry out Sunday services with more than 50 persons will face closure and its leaders prosecuted.
This was made known by the Secretary to Abia State Government/Chairman, Abia State Covid-19 Committee,Barr. Chris Ezem, in a press release made available to Newsleverage.
The statement reads below:
As the spread of the dreaded covid-19 keeps soaring in Nigeria, Abia State government is concerned about the safety of all Abians and residents alike.
As it were, Abians are to note that all Covid-19 protocols must be observed particularly as it affects burials, markets, local and intrastate transport and religious worships etc.
Government is indeed dismayed at the attitude of some churches who carry out Sunday service with more than 50 persons per stream and pay leap service to wearing of face masks and protocols of good hygiene during service. Government frowns at flagrant disobedience of this directive and will henceforth not hesitate to seal off such places of worship and also prosecute the leaders before the State Mobile Courts.
Operators of Eateries, medics and supermarkets must ensure that their customers wear face masks and comply with necessary protocols on hygiene. Our task force will continue to pay unscheduled visits to these outfits to ensure compliance. All Eateries are advised to operate on take away basis.
However, attention of government has been drawn to some markets in the State operating outside of the approved market days of Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 3pm. Government will hold responsible Transition committee chairmen and traditional ruler of any community that abuse market directive and will take decisive action against them.
In line with federal government directives our curfew period will now be from 10pm to 4am daily and all Abians are to comply with the said directive.
Our land borders remain closed while the ban on interstate travels subsists. Accordingly, government directs all TC chairmen to strictly man their respective borders in liason with the State Homeland Security/vigilante groups. Government will take serious measures against any local government that fails to apply these directives.
Hon. Commissioner for Transport is to take steps to ensure that all interstate motor parks remain closed in line with State directives on interstate movements.
Security operatives are to continue to enforce all Covid-19 protocols in the State, while TC chairmen should ensure that their various Enforcement Teams on all Government Covid-19 directives are complied with. Government reiterates the use and compulsory wearing of face masks by all Abians at all times in and around the State.
Finally, Government wishes to appreciate all our donors, frontline workers, Security operatives, State and Local Government Enforcement Teams, volunteer organizations, the Press etc and urges Abians to continue to cooperate with Government in the fight against this deadly pandemic in the State.
