By Abasifreke Effiong
Following the outbreak of a third wave of COVID-19 called the Delta strand, Akwa Ibom State Government says it has reactivated it’s COVID-19 monitoring mechanism.
At a press conference on Thursday, the State Government directed that churches and other religious houses in the State should run at half capacity and the service should not long longer than an hour.
The advisory is coming a day after a state-based newspaper reported that Prof. Etete Peters, a former Vice Chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University; and Mr. Ntieyong Inyangmme, Pioneer Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, have died of COVID-19 complications.
Chairman, Akwa Ibom State COVID-19 committee and Secretary to State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, said that cases of COVID-19 have risen from five to 156 in the last two weeks and advised residents to the state abide strictly by COVID-19 protocols.
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“Religious houses (churches and mosques) should run at half capacity and services should last not more than one (1) hour.”
Ekuwem said all non-essential social gathering should be reconsidered and social distancing in buses and tricycles should be enforced strictly.
He advised that business places should should ensure compliance with COVID-19 protocols and announced the reactivation of all COVID-19 enforcement mechanism.
Ekuwem said “Social distancing in tricycles and in Mini-buses and wearing of face masks are to be strictly complied with.
“Hotels, sit-outs, clubs, schools, transport companies, supermarkets, Banks, pharmacies should all ensure compliance with all COVID-19 preventive measures in their facilities.”
“Ensure social distancing of not less than one meter at all times. Avoid overcrowded areas especially indoors.
“All non-essential social gatherings should be reconsidered with the view to drastically reducing the scale and scope or suspending same at this time. These include: Burials, weddings, birthday celebrations etc.”
