Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma has ordered a complete lock down
of the state, effective from Saturday (yesterday) as part of the
government’s further measures to prevent the dreaded Coronavirus disease
from entering the state.
In a State broadcast to the people Saturday, the governor ordered that
all markets be closed indefinitely and prohibited all forms of marriage
ceremonies. He also announced the ban of all forms of burial and funeral
ceremonies and declared that all forms of religious worships in churches
and mosques, including crusades and open evangelism were prohibited.
Governor Uzodimma further directed that all borders into the state be
barricaded with road blocks and that those coming into the state must be
given a clean bill of health by the health officials attached to the
check points, before they are allowed entry. He equally directed all
civil and public servants in the state, except those on approved
essential duties, to stop work immediately.
He said a combined team of military, police and other security agencies
would be deployed to the streets to ensure strict compliance with the
directives.
The governor however noted that although the new measures may cause some
inconvenience or hardship to the people, they were inevitable to assure
success in the fight against COVID-19.
The governor assured the people that the state was ready for any
emergency as according to him, “a team of specialist doctors are now on
ground and well equipped to handle any emergency just in case the virus
finds its way into the state.”
Further measures announced by the governor to contain the virus include
the training of health educators to go to the rural communities to
educate them and the distribution of sanitizers to all the communities
in the state.
Governor Uzodimma stated that these measures will be reviewed on weekly
basis and if it becomes necessary to relax them or take more measures,
the government will act accordingly.
The Governor who assured that his administration will be at its best
towards surveillance, prevention and control called for vigilance and
strict adherence to safety norms.
His words: “I wish to reiterate my earlier advise that the best safety
measures against the disease are social distancing, regular washing of
hands with soap, sanitizing our hands regularly as well as periodic
check of body temperature to be sure that it is not above 38 degrees
Celsius.”
While acknowledging that the number of those infected by the disease in
the country is on the increase, Governor Uzodimma said that it has
become expedient for government to take further measures to ensure that
Imo is safe from Corona virus disease.
The Governor expressed his gratitude to members of the Special Committee
on COVID-19 in the State headed by Prof. Maurice Iwu for being effective
in the discharge of their duties as well as the United Bank for Africa
(UBA) Plc for its financial support for the fight against Corona virus,
and assured that he will leave no stone unturned in his quest to save
Imo from the virus attack.
Governor Uzodimma concluded: “There is no denying the fact that we are
passing through a very dangerous time occasioned by the world wide
Corona pandemic. Every policy directive and action we have taken as a
government has only one objective; to protect our people and safeguard
our children. That is the primary duty of every responsible government.
Have courage my dear Imo people, have hope. We shall overcome for God is
with us.”