By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
It is no longer news that the second wave of the dreaded pandemic, Corona Virus, resurrected across the globe late last year. There are strong predictions from experts that the second wave of the disease nay be deadlier than the first wave which drifted major parts of the globe to total lockdown, while seeking measures to contain it.
Because of the resurrection of the second wave, nations, states of the world have designed appropriate responses to curtail or checkmate the spread of the virus, and Abia State is not left out.
Abia State in response to the second wave of the disease and its anticipated spread, the state Inter-Ministerial Committee on Covid-19 had on Thursday the 4th day of February 2021 held an interactive session with leadership of Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, Religious Leaders, Security Agencies and some select Stakeholders at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.
The interactive session witnessed several hours of deliberation which culminated to the review of COVID-19 protocols, which led to the arrival of major decisions.
Part of the decisions were that night clubs are to cease operation whilst Abians are advised to stay away from night clubs in view of the new wave; all eateries are now to operate on take away basis and must maintain all covid-19 protocols at their premises, with strong emphasis that the operators of such eateries must place at their entrance “No face mask No entry” sign. The decision further stressed that the operators must ensure the availability of running water and sanitizers at their premises, which contravention will attract a fine of N100,000.00 and the premises will be sealed off.
The decisions also stipulates that all hotels and hospitality places must paste “No face mask No entry” banner at their entrances and must maintain all covid-19 protocols. It also emphasised that any contravention will attract N100,000.00 fine including sealing off of the premises.
Embargo was also placed on crowded religious worships with stipulations that churches are now to operate on 50-person basis per stream and must conclude all religious activities by 2pm on Sundays and Saturdays whichever is applicable. It further restricted all weekly activities to two activities. There is also a total ban night vigil and crusades, stressing that religious places of worship must paste at its entrances “No face mask No entry” sign.
On market operations, the decisions stipulated the revival of covid-19 market committees , adding that total compliance with all covid-19 protocols at all markets, failing which Government will not hesitate to shut down such market and proscribe its Union.
Furthermore, crowded burials and weddings we’re strongly deemphasized, limiting participation to 50 persons only with total compliance to all COVID-19 protocols.
The decisions direct traditional rulers of communities to liaise with local government chairmen of the relevant local government authorities to set up enforcement committees made up of people of integrity to ensure compliance. The enforcement committees are at liberty to stop any burial or wedding that contravenes the COVID-19 protocols.
The decisions also direct all public places, ministries and parastatals to paste at their entrances “No face mask No entry” sign; they also placed ban on cultural festivals till further notice, with a proviso to hold responsible the traditional ruler of any community that contravenes this directive.
Moreover, private and public are to observe all covid-19 protocols.
This is even as the state government has It will be recalled that the state government has made wearing of face masks compulsory, warning that any contravention will attract a fine of N5, 000.
Earlier, the state government in it’s wisdom and strive to ensure that the spread of the virus is curtailed had replicated the COVID-19 committees in the local government areas. The committees are saddled with the responsibilities of sensitisation, advocacy, enforcement of COVID-19 protocols, especially those decisions stipulated.
A judgement here the success of this campaign lies with the local government committees may not entirely be out of place. The argument is buttressed with the assumption supported development researched and studies that over 70 percent population in the developing world reside in the rural areas. Besides, majority of the events stipulated in the decisions take place in the rural areas.
On this note, it is an onerous task for the local government COVID-19 committees to ensure strict discharge of the responsibilities assigned.
More importantly, the committees should take the component of their responsibilities associated with sensitizing the local populace seriously. This is because of the fact the awareness in the rural communities regarding the virus is abysmally low.
There is also a strong appeal to the committees to discourage any attempt to relocate the National Identification Number registration exercise to rural centres, whether on official or unofficial basis, for now. If this is done, two things would have been achieved. One is that those behind registration exercises and their local conspirators are allegedly capitalising on this to extorting the rural dwellers. Two, is that not even the slightest COVID- 19 protocols are observed at these venues.
The local government committees should endeavour to scale their enlightenment campaign efforts.
Indeed, if all these suggestions are implemented, half if the war to curtail the spread of the disease must have been won.
A stitch in time saves nine!
