By Chris Ugwuja, Nsukka

The Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has addressed residents of the state on the COVID-19 pandemic, issuing orders as part of measures aimed at containing the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus disease ravaging the world.

Governor Ugwuanyi on Tuesday directed all public officers/civil servants to work from their homes except health workers, Forest Guards, Neighbourhood Watch personnel, Water Corporation staff, Waste Management operatives, staff of Enugu State Emergency Management Agency, Fire Fighters and all those involved in other essential services.

He ordered the suspension of all cultural and social gatherings including marriage ceremonies, burial ceremonies, masquerade festivals, drinking bars, night clubs and all group sporting and recreational activities.

The Street Reporters Newspaper reports that the governor advised that social distancing protocol as advised by Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) should be observed during public religious worship as well as in restaurants and eateries.

He further ordered all Local Government Council Chairmen to mobilise their Environmental and Community Health Workers to sustain the ongoing public enlightenment on protocol for prevention of Coronavirus disease transmission in our markets and parks.
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He equally ordered that all public transport operators in the state are to observe the following rules on passenger conveyance in each instance:

(a) Keke -Napep not more than two passengers;

(b) Commuter buses – not more that two passengers per seat;

(c) City Cab – not more than three passengers.

All public places in the state were advised to observe high level of hygiene by use of sanitizers and frequent hand washing as earlier advised by Enugu State Ministry of Health.

The Governor then directed law enforcement agencies in the state to enforce strict compliance with all the outlined safety measures in all parts of the state.

While reiterating that “this is a trying time in our world, nation and state”, Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that the state government in the past weeks has taken proactive safety measures to contain the Coronavirus disease pandemic, through the realease of N330 million for strengthening existing health infrastructure to cope with the Coronavirus disease pandemic; strengthening of the State Emergency Operations Centre led by the State Ministry of Health; establishment of a Multi-sectoral Rapid Response Team comprising representatives of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies including local and international partners such as Nigeria Center for Disease Control, World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

A pan-South East political pressure group, the South East Revival Group (SERG) had recently commended the Governor for his efforts towards preventing and containing COVID-19 infection in the state. South East Revival Group (SERG) had recently commended the Governor for his efforts towards preventing and containing COVID-19 infection in the state.