BY RALPH EJIMKOYE, JANE UGWU
The non adherence to preventive measures to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic in Imo State, may force the Imo state government to order another lock-down in the state.
Governor Hope Uzodinma had lifted the lock-down last Friday, though he retained the dusk to dawn curfew.
And despite strong advise by health authorities to the people of the state to maintain physical distancing, regular hand washing and gathering of not more than 50 persons prohibited, independent investigations conducted by this newspaper reveal, that the level of adherence is low and unimpressive.
Despite the ban on inter state travels, it was observed that buses particularly at non authorized motor parks conveyed passengers to and fro the State.
Most motor parks in the state particularly the illegal ones at Ama Jk and Douglas road, Owerri boarded passengers to the brim in their buses.
Intra city buses, it was also observed, also ferried passengers to full capacity. Some of them without face masks.
The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control, NCDC had hinted that the latest wave of those infected with covid 19 originated through “community transmission”, a pattern of coroavirus infections outside the imported cases- those with infections who returned from abroad.
Major markets such as Eke Ukwu and Relief markets in Owerri metropolis, opened fully for business, as physical distancing were not properly observed by both buyers and sellers.
Though compliance to the use of face masks were substantially complied with by residents in Owerri metropolis, the level of adherence in the hinterlands is zero.
Our correspondent who visited Eziobodo, Okolochi communities in Owerri North LGA reports that he never sighted anyone with a face mask, except Okada riders who clustered together- in violation to physical distancing
Government offices provided hand washing facilities, including major stalls which opened for business after weeks of the lockdown.
It was observed that most check points manned by security agents have vanished within the state capital.
However, Governor Hope Uzodinma, has said he will be compelled to order another lockdown in the state if the act is deliberate.
Imo State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, while briefing newsmen at the end of the State Exco meeting in Owerri, said Governor Uzodinma has warned against the abuse of easing the lockdown by Imolites, noting that the idea was only meant for people to move around and get essentials for a little while.
He added that the Governor threatened to impose a total lock-down should it be observed that the abuse is deliberate.
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