By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Anambra State, the state Police Command has relocated all local markets in the state.

The state on Friday recorded an index case of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The index case, an alleged Lagos returnee, was said to have been in the state and mingling with people in his country home of Adazienu before he was picked up by a committee set up by the State Government on Covid-19.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed, he explained that the measure was to ensure social distancing and hygiene during the period of the lock down.

He said that the new markets for food items have been established in all communities of the state according to respective local government areas.

The statement reads in part: “In view of the above, the Command wishes to notify the public that effective from 8am on Tuesday April 14, 2020, all existing food markets are to be shut down completely till further notice. Sellers of food items and other essential consumables are required to move their commodities to the freshly designated locations.

“The essence of the new locations is to restrict commercial activities to food items and other approved essentials and to ensure that buying and selling hold within a well-spaced environment that permits observance of the social distancing protocol.”

He said the markets will operate between 8am and 3pm daily adding that Market leaders and affected vendors have been fully notified while Transition Committee Chairmen, PGs of Communities will be on ground to manage the new facilities.

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