Akwa Ibom govt orders closure of borders, asks workers to stay at home

Akwa Ibom State government Thursday announced the closure of its borders with other states as part of preventive measures to check the spread of coronavirus in the state.

The state government also directed its workers to stay at home from March 30.

These new directives are contained in a new statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Ekuwem.

According to the statement, the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, will suspend its flight operations from March 29.

However, the government said there is no suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus in the state.

It said the stay-at-home order for the workers would be strongly enforced.

The government noted that markets in the state would remain open for sales of foodstuffs and essential commodities and urged churches in the state to fast and pray for God’s mercy on March 29.

The statement read: “Residents and citizens are strongly advised to apply all the preventive measures earlier announced.

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“While the one-week stay-at-home order subsists, Akwa Ibom State Government will continue to monitor and provide regular updates on any development in the COVID-19 the situation in our state.

“Although there is no confirmed COVID-19 case in Akwa Ibom State, we abide by the ancient adage that ‘prevention is better than cure’.

“The governor, also enjoins all residents and citizens; including professional bodies, to desist from creating unnecessary panic within the state by propagating unverified news, whipping up selfish and myopic sentiments and fanning the embers of discord for pecuniary / or political gains.”

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