COVID-19: Akwa Ibom Government Relaxes Lockdown, Re-Opens Markets For Three Days Weekl

Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel has relaxed the coronavirus lockdown and ordered the re-opening of markets in the state for three days in a week.

The governor disclosed this in a state-wide broadcast on Saturday while giving an update on the ongoing lockdown imposed to curtail the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic to the state.

According to him, the decision to relax the closure of markets was informed on the need for people to stock up their supplies, adding that the state would seize this opportunity “to open up our economy and put our State back to work again”.

Governor Emmanuel stated that ‘the use of face mask by all persons is now compulsory in public places”.

The directive also stated that “a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed all over the state from the hours of 8 pm to 6 am effective Monday, May 4th, 2020.

The governor announced that the ban on religious gatherings, hospitality services, social gatherings parties, funerals, and concerts remains in effect until further notice and the compulsory use of face masks in all public places in the state.

“However, our School on Radio programme on AKBC Radio which has been hugely welcomed and popular will continue to address the instructional and teaching needs of our students until we are able to reopen schools”, he stated.

The guideline, however, maintained the ban on non-essential inter-State movements, stating that it remains prohibited except those involving agricultural produce or medical personnel and equipment.

Similarly, it stated that markets will be opened three times a week, (Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays) between 10 am – 4 pm to enable people to stock up their supplies. Face masks must be worn and social distancing must be observed by all.

On movement within the state, the governor directed that “all passengers using public transport must make use of face mask. Tricycles must not carry more than three passengers. Taxis must carry a maximum of three persons (One in front and two behind), and buses must not carry more than two persons per row. All public transport operators must provide hand sanitizers in their vehicles. Also, remember that the ban on commercial motorcycles within the precincts of Uyo capital city is still in effect”.

He revealed that “farmers will be allowed to carry out their tasks and freely transport their food items while wearing facemasks and not be more than three people in any given public transport vehicle. Agricultural produce will be allowed free and easy movement across the State – the use of facemasks must be enforced”.

In addition, Governor Emmanuel directed that in order to help reopen the state economy and get the machinery of governance moving again, “a phased resumption of duties will come into effect. All Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries should work out modalities that will get the staff of their respective Ministries to return to work in batches.

He, however, urged them to ensure that not more than 30 per cent of the workforce of each Ministry, Department and Agency is at work at any given time.

All workers should observe social distancing and personal hygiene requirements including the compulsory use of face masks.

Meanwhile, KanyiDaily had reported how a policeman was demoted for assaulting a medical doctor while enforcing the lockdown order in Akwa Ibom.