By Douglas Mojaye
Delta state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday lifted the ban on burial and wedding activities as part of measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Okowa, however, stated that other activities such as conference, sports events, communal activities and others remained banned.
The governor stated this during the state-wide broadcast on COVID-19 on Tuesday in Asaba.
OKowa said While burials and weddings will be allowed, the social distancing rule (6ft apart) must be applied, and the number of guests/persons must not exceed 50.
According to him, Conferences, sporting activities, gathering of people in convention/event centres, sports fields, public/open spaces, as well as recreational and cultural/communal activities remain banned until 31st May 2020.
Recall that On march 29, 2020, the governor had announced closure of all entry and exit points into and out of Delta state as a proactive step to keep the coronavirus pandemic at bay.
Three days later, April 1 2020 Total shutdown of all offices, ban on movement/gatherings and Social activities within the state.
Okowa said he has every reason to believe that the lockdown has helped to limit the spread of the virus in the state.
He added that the lockdown has enable the government to break the chain of transmission and gave them leeway to trace, identify Isolate and test contacts of infected persons.
“We have every reason to believe that the lockdown has helped to limit the spread of the virus in our State. As at today, six cases of COVID-19 have been incidented; five of the patients are doing well in our case management centres.
“The period of the lockdown, while enabling us to break the chain of transmission, also gave us the leeway to easily trace, identify, isolate and test contacts of infected persons.
“We are very mindful of the fact that each day of the lockdown was tough economically and particularly agonising for those in the informal sector who live on daily income.
“As we gradually relax the restriction of movement, I must caution that it is not yet uhuru; life as we have known it is still a long way off.
” We must therefore brace ourselves up to adjust to the new normal in all our personal, official and business dealings going forward.
“In view of the foregoing, it has become necessary to PARTIALLY LIFT THE BAN on movements within the State effective THURSDAY, 30TH APRIL 2020.
“This is to enable our people engage in economic/business activities between the hours of 6am and 7pm. Security agencies will be on hand to ensure strict compliance with the time frame.”
While reeling out exemption to the relaxation of movement, the governor said, “Conferences, sporting activities, gathering of people in convention/event centres, sports fields, public/open spaces, as well as recreational and cultural/communal activities remain banned until 31st May 2020.
“While burials and weddings will be allowed, the social distancing rule (6ft apart) must be applied, and the number of guests/persons must not exceed 50.”
Great news for the Deltans. Certainly and hopefully, if all the stated directives are adhered to strictly, Corona Virus will be a thing of the past in Delta State.
Great job!