The Abia State Government has announced the extension of its lockdown order by 7 days. It will be recalled that the state government put the lockdown in place in order to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus(COVID-19).
In a statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA on Tuesday evening, signed by the Secretary to the government, Barrister Chris Ezem, the lockdown was necessary to ensure that the state was truly free of the virus.
“The Abia State Government hereby announces the extension of the lockdown by Seven Days effective from Wednesday, April 8, 2020. This extension is necessary to confirm that we are indeed free of the virus. This is because the normal incubation period for the virus is 14 days.”
“Government is aware of the hardship and inconvenience this situation has brought upon our people. But it is better to live with temporary inconvenience than to expose ourselves to this disease in search of comfort. The NCDC is still tracking over 2000 suspected cases across the country. While these persons are not from Abia, this is a time that calls for extra vigilance.”
“Within this period, the Government will continue to distribute some food items, sanitizers and face masks which commenced officially today.”
“Government hereby directs all the various enforcement teams at the State and Local Government levels as well as all security agencies to continue the enforcement of the directives on lockdown at the borders, markets, Transport operators, Religious Groups and all forms of public gathering. Transition Committee Chairmen of Local Government Areas and Security Operatives are directed to remain vigilant.”
“Government commends all Frontline Service Providers, and all those on essential services including but not limited to medical and paramedical personnel, environmental and community health officers, ASEPA, all volunteers and security agencies who have stood firm with the State Government to battle this virus.”
Will there be food distribution?
It’s no longer coronavirus, but hungervirus that is killing people, therefore government should do something about it, there’s nothing wrong in extending the lockdown, the problem is on what to eat within this period.