GOVERNOR WIKE ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY LIFTING OF LOCKDOWN FOR SIX DAYS.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has announced the temporary lifting of the total lockdown on Obio/ Akpo and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas for six days only, with effect from Thursday 21st May 2020.

Governor Wike made the announcement in a state_wide on Wednesday night. He said that the total lockdown will be lifted from Thursday 21st May, 2020 till Tuesday 26th May 2020.

Governor Wike said that the lockdown will be instated on Tuesday 26th May, 2020.

He said: "We indicated our readiness to review the lockdown from time to time as occasion demands with the interest of our people as the central basis."

"Although we are only three days into the ongoinglockdown, it has become necessary, once again, to relax the restrictions."

"Accordingly, the State’s Security Council has decided to suspend the total lockdown on Obio/Akporand Port Harcourt Local Government Areas for 6 (six) days, with effect from Thursday, 21st May 2020".

"Residents and visitors of these local government areas can therefore go out of their homes for their lawful businesses from tomorrow morning, that is,Thursday May 21 until 8.00pm Tuesday 26th of May 2020, when the lockdown will be restored and maintained until further notice".

"It is important to emphasized that the relaxation only allows for free human and vehicular movements and the opening of limited businesses, such as banks, supermarkets, shopping malls and grocery shops."

" All land, sea and air exit and entry borders and routes into Rivers State shall remain closed."

" Similarly, all open markets, motor parks, hotels, bars, night clubs, in-service restaurants and barbers’ shops must remain shut."

He said all other established restrictions under the Executive Orders on social distancing are still in force.
He said: " Religious gatherings of more than 50 persons remain prohibited."

" All public weddings, burials and other social gathering also remain prohibited."

"Private and commercial vehicles, including tricycles must continue to limit the number of passengers to two persons only".

" The wearing of face masks or coverings in public spaces, including commercial and private vehicles remains compulsory as contraveners would be arrested and summarily dealt with as the law demands."

" All residents must continue to maintain a social distancing in every space, including a vehicles, bank premises and shopping places as required by the subsisting regulations."

He said anyone who refuses to comply will be punished according to the law.

"Those who refuse to comply with these duly established orders and restrictions will be arrested and prosecuted, as usual, for deliberately endangering themselves and the lives of others in the face of this deadly virus."

"I wish to reassure you all that we are doing our best and determined more than ever to do everything in our powers to Dght against the spread of this covid-19 pandemic in Rivers State."

"We therefore urge residents not to panic even withthe increasing number of positive cases, which is only indicative of the expanded testing now taking place in the State."

He added:"Before long, we will flatten the curve, gradually lift the restrictions, restore normalcy and open up the State fully for business."

"But until then, we will continue to ask for your patience, cooperation and religious compliance with the established measures to curb the spread of this virus."

The time is immediate for each and every one of us to take personal responsibility in this struggle to kickout covid-19 out of Rivers State."

"And so, for those, who have nothing to do outside their homes, please stay at home and stay safe. Let us also try to ensure that we keep and protect the most vulnerable persons among us, especially the aged and those with serious underlying health conditions from this virus."

The Governor expressed his appreciation to those on the frontlines fighting for the good of the state .

He said: "Finally, let me once again express our appreciation to all those who are in the frontlines supporting the effort of the State Government in several ways to mitigate the spread of this virus in our State."