COVID-19: Okowa Orders Delta’s Returnees From UK, Italy, U.S, Other High-risk Countries To Self-isolate Immediately For 14-days

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, on Tuesday, tightened restriction measures in the state in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus if it eventually breaks in the state.

BIGPEN reports that the governor has ordered any deltan who has recently returned from high- risk countries such as China, USA, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, UK, Iran, South Korea and Japan, to self-isolate from friends, family and others for minimum of 14 days.

Although Delta was yet to record any case, as of Tuesday morning, the governor who spoke in a broadcast on the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, suspended with immediate effect all public gatherings, including burials, weddings, conferences and seminars.

The governor also ordered closure of nonessential public places like night clubs/lounges and cinemas, saying all burials and social events must be low-key, not attracting crowds of more than twenty (20) persons or be put off indefinitely.

He also said that all institutions of learning – Primary, Secondary and Tertiary – are to close for a period of 30 days at the end of school hours on Wednesday, 25th March, 2020.

Besides, the governor also directed that civil servants from Grade Level 1-12 should stay at home till further notice, and also suspended the application of Biometric system for daily attendance of workers to work in the state till further notice.

He, however, exempted workers on essential services from the order, and urged Deltans to avoid non-essential travels in and outside the state.

“Malls, supermarkets, restaurants, banks, hotels and bars must, in addition to providing Sanitizers at various entry points, ensure social distancing by allowing only few persons at a time.

“Market leaders are to ensure that Sanitizers are provided at all entry points to the markets. Failure to do this will attract sanction from the Government, he warned.

The govenror further directed that henceforth buses and taxis must provide hand sanitzers for travellers, adding that all town union gatherings or youth conferences/gatherings were prohibited until further notice.

“My dear Deltans, in the spirit of love for one another, any one of us who has recently returned from high- risk countries such as China, USA, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, UK, Iran, South Korea and Japan, must self-isolate from friends, family and others for minimum of 14 days.

“All, who have had close contact with those who visited these high incidence countries are also advised to self-isolate for the same period.

He said that the measures being put in place by the state government is to protect the people from contracting the deadly coronavirus which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

On the preparedness of the state to combat the disease, he said the state government had acquired 19 Ventilators, monitors and other critical equipment for the management of COVID-19 cases if it occurred in the state.

“On our part, we have taken certain steps to mitigate the impact if and when cases are detected in our State; a Multi-sectoral Committee has been put in place and the State Emergency Operation Centre activated.

“Health staff have been selected and trained adequately, and the State Government has completed a purpose-built Isolation Centre at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba. The centre is ready for use.

“Three other Centres at the now completed Central Hospital, Asaba; Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara and Central Hospital, Warri, are being prepared as additional centres. To protect healthcare personnel and increase capacity, Personal Protective Equipment for health staff are in stock and we have continued to scout for more.

“The State Government has also packaged incentives for critical health staff who will be engaged in COVID-19 treatment and management. In the last 48 hours, we have paid for and taken delivery of 19 Ventilators and a good number of Monitors for use by our medical staff. Other critical needs, including Dialysis machines, dedicated for COVID-19 case management will be installed”.