By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has announced the compulsory wearing of face mask by residents of the state.

He said that anyone seen outside his home without a face mask shall be classified as guilty of breaking the Anambra State Protocol on COVID-19.

Obiano who made the declaration on Wednesday in a special broadcast on COVID-19 declared that the principle shall be enforced by all Traditional rulers, Religious Leaders, the President Generals, Women Leaders, Market Association Leaders, Youth Association Leaders and community leaders.

He enjoined people to make their own masks to ensure availability of masks saying that polyester and polythene materials must not be used in making masks.

The Governor said that though the COVID-19 index case has tested negative for the second time, the state is not out of the woods yet.

His words: “Ndi Anambra, I am here to give you an update you on our fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in Anambra State. In my last address to you on Saturday, April 18, 2020, I informed you that the first post treatment test of the Covid-19 Index Case in Anambra State had returned negative.

“Today, I am delighted to tell you that the second test on our Index Case has also returned negative. Following the NCDC protocol on Covid-19, therefore, I have asked the Commissioner of Health to discharge him from our Protective Care Center.

“We have also made some arrangements to decontaminate his home to ensure that there is no further incident.

“Following the good news we have received on our Index Case, we have submitted the samples of the 36 remaining people that had direct contact with him for testing. This is to ensure that we do not leave any loopholes in our fight against this pandemic.”

The governor said that to further ensure that Anambra State is free of the pandemic, that all motor parks in the state as well as intercity/intra-community transits will remain closed, while markets will open only on Tuesdays and Fridays.

He cautioned traders and customers in the markets to always maintain the principles of Social Distancing during the transaction process.

According to him, the wholesale medical drug market in Onitsha is permitted to open only on Tuesdays and Fridays, even as added that stores/shops located in the markets not dealing on food items or medical drugs will remain closed.

While saying that the security agents have been directed to ensure a rigorous enforcement of the directives, the governor urged Transport operators, banks and other businesses to assist in the enforcement of mask wearing by insisting that their customers wear a mask as a pre-condition for service.

Obiano commended the patience and your cooperation of Anambra residents in the fight against Coronavirus.

He added: “The danger is not over yet. I count on your support and commitment as we race to the finishing line.

“To ensure that we are firmly on track, here are the things we must pay attention to, all our boundaries with neighbouring states remain completely closed. Only people on essential services and haulage trucks with essential commodities are allowed passage after a stringent check and confirmation by the security personnel at the boundaries.

“From today onwards, it has become compulsory to wear a face mask in Anambra State. We also encourage our people to maintain the globally accepted COVID-19 protocol of regular hand-washing, regular use of hand sanitisers and other social-distancing rules that I have repeatedly communicated in my previous addresses.”

The Governor expressed delight that people have continued to respond to his appeal for help and have been making donations to the COVID-19 Special Fund.