Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, yesterday banned all forms of public gathering in the state for one month.
He listed such public gatherings to include burial, wedding, conference, seminars and any other large gatherings.
The governor stated this at the town hall meeting which was held at the International Conference Centre in Abakaliki, the state capital.
Represented by his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe, the governor said the ban is for a period of one month in the first instance.
He said the ban was part of measures to protect the people from contacting the deadly COVID-19 which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to him, “It is painful to take the decision, but the government had to reason that it is better to let the dead bury the dead for now. But if you feel that you cannot wait, then you can take the corpse and bury it with just you and your family without any ceremony or invitation to any other person.”
Umahi also said civil servants in the state shall from March 25 be advised to work from home, adding however that those on essential services shall be exempted from the order.
The governor warned traditional rulers and council chairmen against shielding any person suspected to have contacted the deadly virus.
He said anybody suspected to have contacted the virus should immediately be sent to the nearest health centre for onwards transfer to the state isolation centre, which has been built at the Unity Square in Abakaliki for proper treatment and care.
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