Adebayo Idris
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has announced two days intra-state free movement as part of the slight change in the recently announced 7-day Coronavirus lockdown in the state over the outbreak of Coronavirus.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Chris Ezem, said the two- day relaxation of the lockdown on Good Friday and Easter Sunday was to enable residents shop and perform other religious activities in commemoration to the Easter celebration.
The chairman of the COVID-19 Committee in the state, said that parishioners of various denominations, including their Muslim counterparts were free to attend Friday and Sunday services in their various denominations.
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He also urged the people to wear their face masks and also maintain 1.5m government-approved social distance mark. He added that while borders of the state would be closed within the two-day relaxation period, the seven- day extension continues from 3 pm on Sunday, April 12 to Friday, April 17, 2020.
Accordingly, there would be free movement of people within the State ONLY between the hours of 6 am on Friday, April 10 (Good Friday) and 2 pm on Sunday, April 12 (Easter Sunday), 2020.
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Accordingly, religious worshipers shall be free to worship at their various churches and mosques but must compulsorily observe the following guidelines –
Not more than 50 persons per stream of worship and a social distance of 1.5m must be maintained, all worshipers MUST wear face mask, churches and Mosques MUST provide a minimum of 4 points for handwashing with running water and soap, hand sanitizers MUST also be provided at different points for the use of intending worshipers.
The State and Local Government Enforcement Teams and Security Operatives shall continue to move around to ensure strict compliance.
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Governor Okezie Ikpeazu hereby enjoins all religious worshipers to use this period to pray for God’s intervention and mercy upon our dear State Abia, our nation Nigeria and the entire world over this dreaded pandemic.
KanyiDaily.com had earlier reported that Kogi State government has lifted the ban on religious gatherings amid the coronavirus lockdown.
