Wike Cancels Lockdown In Rivers State, Place Statewide Curfew

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has imposed a statewide curfew to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Wike, in a broadcast on Tuesday, said the curfew would be between 8pm to 6am in the 23 local government areas of the state beginning from June 2 till further notice.

Governor Wike said the proposed lockdown in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt local government areas was cancelled due to security threats in Khana, Eleme, Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo and Ikwerre local government areas.

 

“After a comprehensive review of the measures taken and further considerations placed before us by well-meaning members of the public, the state security council has decided to cancel the proposed lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas of the State,” he said.

“In essence, no part of Rivers State is or will be under any lockdown from this moment and this will be so, except where it becomes necessary again.

“…All land borders, including all exit and entry routes into Rivers State shall remain closed to human and vehicular traffic, except those on essential services and duly exempted.

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“All residents must wear face masks or covering into any public space, including our roads, banks, shopping malls, shops, hotels and in any lawful social gathering.

“The state task force and the security agencies have been directed to arrest and summarily prosecute any person seen on our streets or any other public place without wearing face masks.

“All banks, motor parks, hotels, restaurants, shops, business centres, shopping malls, and offices must maintain social distancing and enforce the wearing of face masks in their premises.

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“The state task force and security agencies have been directed to seal up, prosecute and confiscate to the State any bank, shopping mall, restaurant, shop, business place or office that fails to enforce social distancing and the wearing of face masks in its premises.

“In addition to providing daily guest list to the police and the Department of State Security, hoteliers must not host large gatherings, including parties and receptions. Defaulting hotels will be sealed-up and the owners summarily prosecuted.” Wike said.

Wike said all bars, beer palours or drinking joints, nightclubs, viewing centers, open markets and cinemas would remain closed till further notice.

He also said public weddings, burials and large social gatherings remained banned.

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Wike said churches and other religious gatherings should continue to comply with the existing advisory on social distancing, initiate temperature checks and enforce the wearing of face masks during their activities.

Wike added that private and commercial vehicles, including tricycles must continue to limit their passengers to the number earlier permitted and enforce the wearing of face masks by all passengers.