By Eric Olusesan
Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, compassionate and sensitive to these discomforts, has directed as follows:
- The lockdown is extended by 1 week ONLY.
- 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.
- Lockdown will be enforced after 1pm on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April, 2020
- 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.
- Lockdown enforecement includes Jumat services on Friday 17 April and Church services on Sunday 19 April, 2020.
- 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.
- ONLY GOD is the foundation of our hope and trust.