Why Wike suspended lockdown, ordered closure of public places that fail to comply with preventive measures
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike said the state has decided to cancel the proposed lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt local government area of the state.
He also announced that “a night time curfew from 8pm to 6am will begin across the state from June 2 till further notice”.
The lockdown was relaxed on Monday May 10, a day after Wike supervised the demolition of two hotels in the state for violating the lockdown order. His action sparked media outrage as many Nigerians and organisations condemned him for “going overboard” with the enforcement of lockdown.
As at the time the lockdown was relaxed, the state had 21 confirmed cases, but as of 11:40pm on Wednesday May 27, Rivers has 171 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
In a statewide broadcast on Tuesday evening, the governor said “the State Security Council has cancelled the proposed lockdown on Obio-Akpor LGA and other parts of the state until further notice”.
He, however, warned that other measures like compulsory use of face mask in public places and strict compliance with social distancing will be enforced.
“All land borders – entry and exit routes into Rivers states – shall remain closed to human and vehicular movements, including sea borders except those on essential services are duly exempted,” Wike said. “All residents must wear face masks or coverings into any public place including roads, banks, Shopping malls, shops, hotels and any lawful social gathering.”
The State task force and security agencies, according to the governor, have been directed to arrest and prosecute anybody seen on the streets or any other public places without wearing face masks.
“Banks, motor parks, shops, business centres, and shopping malls must ensure social distancing and use of face masks at their premises. The State task force and security agencies have been directed to arrest, prosecute and confiscate to the state, any bank, shopping mall, restaurant, business places or offices that fail to enforce social distancing and the wearing of face masks at their premises,” he declared.
He, however, urged residents not to panic over the increasing cases of COVID-19 in the state, saying it is not unexpected due to the “intensification of contact tracing and testing in the state”.
