Godwin Udoh
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has warned that anyone seen in public without face mask would be taken to any of the isolation centres in the state.
The governor gave this warning, on Monday, in a statement signed by Commissioner of Information, Mr. Charles Anigwu, which was made available to The Nigeria Xpress, in Asaba, after a meeting of the Technical Committee for the Prevention of COVID-19 in state.
The statement read, “Compulsory use of face mask by all individuals appearing in public has commenced across the state, and that persons seen in public without the mask would be taken straight to the isolation centre, because it will mean that you have the virus and want to infect others
“Anybody seen in a tricycle, `Okada’ or taxi without face mask will lead to the impounding of the tricycle, okada or taxi, and any business centre that attends to a customer who is not putting on face mask risks being closed permanently.
Governor Okowa said that the reason for the relaxing of the lockdown was for economic reasons and should not jeopardise the safety of the people.
However, the Technical Committee for the Prevention of COVID-19 in Delta State also resolved that all health workers involved in the management of the virus would receive their allowances before the end of the week.
Also, others support staff involved in the management of Coronavirus in the health sector would also be insured.
The statement also restated that the period of the curfew in the state remained between 7:00pm and 6:00am and reaffirmed that no vehicle would be allowed into the state during the period, irrespective of the consignment being conveyed.
“We have created more mobile courts for the issue of adjudication for those persons who will not obey the law, because as a government, we are committed to applying preventive approach in tackling COVID-19.
“As a government, we have the responsibility to protect our people and the use of face mask which must be worn properly to cover the mouth and nose must be implemented, and we must also know that there is no alternative to social distancing, regular washing of hands with soap and avoid touching of eyes, mouth and ears.
“We should adopt the mentality that every other person is a potential risk; assume that the other person is a carrier for you not to get close,”
Aniagwu said and urged residents to heed government’s regulations on the management of the pandemic.
