Abia govt bans cultural festivals, places fine for violation of facemask rules

The government of Abia State has banned cultural festivals till further notice, and also warned that it would hold responsible the Traditional Ruler of any community that contravenes the standing order.

This was contained in a press release issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen by the Secretary to the Abia State Government and Chairman Inter Ministerial Committee on COVID-19, Barrister Chris Ezem.

The statement also revealed that the state government has placed a five thousand naira (N5,000) fine on any resident of the state caught in public without wearing a nosemask or face shield.

It also directed that all hotels and hospitality places paste a “No face mask No entry” banner at their entrances and maintain all COVID-19 protocols adding that any contravention will attract N100,000.00 fine including sealing off of the premises.

The statement added that; “All churches are now to operate on a 50-person basis per stream and must conclude all religious activities by 2pm on Sundays and Saturdays whichever is applicable. All weekly activities must be limited to 2 activities only; whilst night vigils and crusades are totally banned. All religious places of worship must paste at its entrances “No facemask No entry.

READ ALSO: Abia govt warns residents against second wave of Covid-19

“All eateries are now to operate on a take away basis and must maintain all covid-19 protocols at their premises. They must place at their entrance “No facemask No entry” sign. They must ensure the availability of running water and sanitizers at their premises. Any contravention will attract a fine of N100, 000.00 and the premises will be sealed off.

“All COVID-19 market Committees are to be revived and must ensure total compliance with all COVID-19 protocols at all markets failing which the Government will not hesitate to shut down such a market and proscribe its Union.

“All burials and weddings must be limited to 50 persons only and maintain all COVID-19 protocols. Traditional rulers of communities must liaise with the Local Government Chairman of the relevant Local Government and set up an enforcement Committee made up of people of integrity to ensure compliance. The enforcement Committee is at liberty to stop any burial or wedding in contravention.

“All public places, ministries and parastatals must paste at their entrances “No facemask No entry” sign. All schools, private and public, must observe all COVID-19 protocols.

“Community testing and sample collection is ongoing in all the 17 LGA’s. The State medical protocol teams are in place and our molecular lab is 24 hours in operation to run samples,” the statement concluded.

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