COVID-19: Okowa Announces Ban On Religious Worship, Withdraws Permission For 50 Persons

-Appeals To Wealthy Nigerians To Support DTSG In Fight Against Coronavirus
By Daniel Dafe
The Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, has withdrawn his earlier decision that allowed 50 persons as maximum number of persons allowed to converge in any religious worship centre.
Governor Okowa said this during a state broadcast in Asaba, today, Tuesday, 31st March 2020, saying that this takes effect from tomorrow, April 1, 2020.
You will recall that during a recent broadcast, he said that the maximum number of persons allowed in a religious worship centre is 50.
He added: “Movement of people, goods and services into, within, and out of all parts of Delta State are hereby stopped.”
According to him, “All residents of the State not on essential duty or providing essential services are to stay home till further notice.”
Speaking further, he prohibited the gathering of persons in the state for conferences, meetings, festivals, private events, public visits, burials, weddings, traditional marriages and other social events.
Also, he ordered the temporary closure of public places, such as event centres, bars, night clubs/lounges, cinemas, markets, supermarkets, malls, shops, restaurants/canteens, as he warned against street football or any other sporting activities on the streets or neighbourhood during this emergency period.
Continuing, he said: “Foodstuff sellers are permitted to conduct their businesses within the precinct of their homes and will be monitored to ensure they adhere strictly to the social distancing rules.
“Markets for only the sales of food items and water will be organized in designated primary/secondary schools in each local government area of the state; they will be coordinated and supervised by the Local Government Chairmen and their teams to ensure compliance with the rules on social distancing.”
Furthermore, he said: “Pursuant to the Infections Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020, it shall be an offence to inflate the prices of/or hoard food, drugs and other essential goods and services within the State during this period of emergency; anybody found in contravention of this order may have such essential goods seized or forfeited to the State as stipulated in the Law.”
Okowa added that the restriction of movement does not apply to those involved in the transportation of essential supplies such as food, water, petroleum products, pharmaceutical products, medical/emergency supplies or other essential supplies as cleared by him.
Others exempted include those involved in security operations, water supply, fire service, power supply and essential departments of media houses and telecommunications companies.
The Governor also said that livestock farmers (poultry, piggery) and fish farmers are to be allowed into their farms, saying that banks are to remain open but only for skeletal services.
He urged all the said persons that fall under the category of exemption to carry valid identification tags to ensure easy identification and smooth passage as there will be increased security presence during the period.
Governor Okowa while soliciting for the support, patience and cooperation of all residents in complying with these directives to enable the state win this war, appealed to wealthy Nigerians, particularly Deltans, to support the Government in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.
He called on residents in the state to call 0803 123 0480, 0803 123 0481, 08031230528 and 0803123 0529 if somebody suddenly falls ill or develops symptoms associated with the disease.