COVID-19: Okowa Declares Partial Lockdown, Markets, Air And Land Borders Closed

Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta state has declared a partial lockdown of the state as measures to curtail the spread of the deadly corona virus which is yet to be recorded in the state.

The governor, in a state broadcast announced shut down of Asaba airport to traffic effective from Friday, March 27, 2020 by 6: pm.

The order also applies to all land borders into and out of Delta effective 6: am, Sunday, March 29, 2020.

In order to stop the rapid spread of the coronavirus, the governor also announced that all businesses-malls, supermarkets, markets and shops -are to close from Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

All residents in the State are to stay at home from Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

Food sellers are to conduct their businesses within the precinct of their homes and are required to strictly adhere to the social distancing rules, the governor said.

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“Deltans are advised that there will be increased security presence on the streets and land borders to ensure strict compliance with these directives”, he warned.

During the period of the partial lock down which would last for two weeks in the first instance, according to the governor, only persons providing essential services namely; Security, Healthcare (Pharmacies are to remain open), Water, Fire, Power, Essential Departments of Media Houses and Essential Departments of Telecommunications companies are exempted.

Officials of these agencies/companies must carry valid identification tags to ensure easy identification and smooth passage, he said.

Consequently, the governor urged all Deltans to adjust to the new order and cooperate with the Government and law enforcement agencies.

“Drastic as these measures may seem, they are for our collective good. At the same time, we must keep on praying to God to save us from the seismic effects of this global pandemic”.

“As promised, we have continued to monitor and review developments concerning this global pandemic on a daily if not hourly basis.

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“Although there has been no confirmed case in Delta, nevertheless, we deem it fit to take further measures to avert any outbreak or contain its spread if it occurs”.

The far-reaching decisions, according to Governor Okowa, was taken after a meeting with the Central Committee on Managing/Containing the Coronavirus Pandemic which he is heading.

It is the third time the governor is making effort to update Deltans through a state broadcast on the coronavirus pandemic.