COVID-19 LOCKDOWN IN AKWA IB0M STATE: A 7- HOUR RESPITE TO RE-STOCK

By Eric Olusesan

Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, compassionate and sensitive to these discomforts, has directed as follows:

1. The lockdown is extended by 1 week ONLY.
2. The lockdown be responsibly and carefully lifted on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April, 2020 from 6am to 1pm of each day to enable Akwa Ibomites re-stock foodstuffs and any prescribed medications.
3. Lockdown will be enforced after 1pm on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April, 2020
4. All preventive measures earlier announced by the Akwa Ibom State Government COVID-19 medical management team remain in force during and after the 7 hour RESPITE on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April, 2020. For the purpose of emphasis, these measures include:

• Social Distancing in all gatherings
• Use of face masks while complying with social distancing
• Frequent hand washing with running water and soap
• Use of sanitizers at homes, entrance doors to homes, office buildings and churches
• Only 2 passengers per tricycle with each passenger wearing a face mask
• Only 1 person per row in minibuses with passengers wearing face masks
• Meaurement of body temperatures with infrared thermometers where available. Any citizen or resident whose body temperature is found to be 38 degrees Centigrade and above should be escorted from a safe distance to the nearest medical facility for examination. The same applies to frequent coughing or sneezing and having difficulties in breathing.

1. Lockdown enforecement includes Jumat services on Friday 17 April and Church services on Sunday 19 April, 2020.
2. Akwa Ibom State Government will continue to monitor and review the COVID-19 situation globally and nationally in general and in our state in particular so as to respond speedily and appropriately to protect the health of our citizens.
3. ONLY GOD is the foundation of our hope and trust.