By Tony Icheku, Umuahia
The Abia State Government on Tuesday announced the extension of the lockdown in the State by seven days effective Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
In a press statement, the Secretary to the Government of Abia State, Mr Chris Ezem explained that the “extension is necessary to confirm that we are indeed free of the virus. This is because the normal incubation period for the virus is 14 days.
” Government is aware of the hardship and inconvenience this situation has brought upon our people. But it is better to live with temporary inconvenience than to expose ourselves to this disease in search of comfort”, he stated.
Ezem added that the NCDC was still tracking over 2000 suspected cases across the country.
“While these persons are not from Abia, this is a time that calls for extra vigilance”, he stressed.
The SSG further added that during the seven days extension, the Abia Government will continue to distribute some food items, sanitizers and face masks. The distribution commenced officially today, Tuesday
The various enforcement teams at the state and local government levels as well as all security agencies were advised to continue the enforcement of the directives on lockdown at the borders, markets, transport operators, religious groups and to discourage all forms of public gathering.
It will be recalled that Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, Sunday, April 29 unfolded measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic by shutting inter-state boundaries, and imposing 24-hour lockdown beginning Wednesday, April 1.
