By David Uka, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Government has banned burial and wedding ceremonies, nite clubs as well as other events, that will attract crowd in the state as part of measures to prevent the coronavirus pandemic.
The State Governor, Engr David Nweze Umah who announced this while addressing a town hall meeting on Covid-19 at the Akanu Ibiam International conference centre, Abakaliki disclosed that the ban is for a period of one month
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe, the Governor said the Town Hall meeting which was attended by Traditional rulers, Chairmen of Councils, coordinators of Development centres, Town Union Executives, Leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria, Health workers and other relevant stakeholders was part of measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
‘It is the desire of Ebonyi state government to provide comfort for everybody in Ebonyi state. But for the nature of this Coronavirus which spread by contacts especially in public social gathering”.
“Ebonyi state government has resolved henceforth that there shall be no more burials, and there shall be no weddings, conferences and other social gatherings in the land of Ebonyi for a period of one month for the time being with effect from yesterday.
“Sometimes when you conduct a burial, some of the people that attend this burial come from lagos, Abuja and all over the country that are heavily infected with this virus and you can’t stop them from attending the burials” he said.
He said Isolation centre has been constructed and equipped at Unity Square,Abakaliki , while Government has also ordered the procurement of 150 infrared Thermometer Test Tubes as well as hand sanitizers .
” Another Isolation centre is nearing completion at Ebonyi boader with Enugu State and it will be replicated in all entry points into the state for compulsory testing of commuters into the state”
The governor also directed Council chairmen to immediately constitute Emergency Health workers committees to visit all markets and homes and conduct compulsory test on the people.
Governor Umahi said it is compulsory for worship centres, Rice mills, quarry sites and hotels to provide test kits and hand sanitizers in their various places of worship and warned that government will take more strigent action if the tmprivilege is abused.
He also directed that civil servants on grade level 1 to 10 will from 25th March work from their homes except those on essential duties, assuring that the state committee headed by the Secretary to Ebonyi State Government will constantly review the situation with a view to adopting more strategies to prevent Covid-19 and Lasser fever epidemics in the state.
The Secretary to Ebonyi State Government Dr. Kenneth Ugbala earlier said the Town Hall meeting became expedient bacause of government’s determination to enhance the health status of the people and appealed to participants to take the message home and ensure their subjects adopt safety measures.
