By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Following the increasing threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Anambra State Governor has set up immediate measures to its citizens safe.

Identifying the measures at a press briefing in Awka, the governor mandated civil servants in the state to proceed on a 14-day work from home, effective from Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

He stressed that any civil servant may be called upon at any given time to handle an urgent assignment as need be adding that the directive excludes all staff of Anambra State Ministry of Health workers and officers on essential duty.

Obiano also announced the suspension of all public gathering like, traditional marriage ceremonies, community, ofala masquerade, new yam festivals, title taking ceremonies and any meeting of more than 30 participants.

He urged traditional rulers and President General of Communities to ensure full compliance of the directive or be held responsible.

Other measures as announced by the governor said: “All nursery, primary, secondary, vocational and tertiary schools are hereby closed with immediate effect. All academic and extra-curricular activities are hereby suspended.

“All public transport operators are directed to submit the manifest of all passengers coming into Anambra State to the appropriate authorities with their names, phone numbers, residential addresses and final destination.

“The general public is mandated to maintain a habit of frequent hand-washing with soap and water as well as use alcohol based hand sanitizers.

“No Keke or tricycle rider should carry more than two passengers at a time. Drivers of shuttle buses must not carry more than three passengers at a time.

“Drivers of township and mini buses must not carry more than five passengers at a time.

“The public is strongly advised to only visit the markets for essential commodities.

“All night clubs are hereby closed until further notice. People should endeavor to sit at home.

“Operators of bars and restaurants should not admit more than 30 customers at a time and must adhere strictly to the basic standards of social distancing. They must also provide hand-washing points and hand sanitizers for their customers. Any violation will attract immediate closure of the premises.”

While calling on all persons returning to Anambra State from all countries of the world and states with suspected Covid-19 cases to go into self-isolation for 14 days and report, Obiano noted that security agencies have been directed to ensure full compliance of the directive.

The governor further said that his government has constituted an Action Committee on Covid-19 headed himself to ensure a hands-on attention to the best was of containing the plague.

The 22 members of the committee include the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala; Commissioner for Information and Enlightenment, Mr C Don Adinuba; Dr Simeon Onyemaechi; Prof Igwegbe Anthony; Prof Oby Emelummadu; and Dr Simon Ushie.

Others are Dr Basil Nwankwo; Dr Emmanuel Azuike; Dr Ifeoma Njelita; Dr Uche Onyejimbe; Dr Chijioke Obagha; Prof Maurice Iwu; Dr Joe Akabuike; Dr Ifeanyi Okoye; Dr Ernest Ifebi; Dr Chioma Ezenyimulu; Dr Onyeka Ibezim; and Chidi Kanu, among others.

The state governor also said that all calls related to suspected Covid-19 should be routed to Anambra Public Health Emergency Operation Center on 08030953771 and 08117567363.

He assured residents of the state of the determination of the state government to preserve life and restore normalcy within the shortest possible time even as he said that more guidelines on the best practices to be adopted shall be communicated as the need arises.

Update news