Yemisi Izuora
As the Coronavirus continues to ravage the world with increasing intensity through mostly person-to-person contact and infected surfaces, Anambra State Government, in recognition of its primary duty to protect the life of everyone in the state, has suspended all public gatherings of up to 30 persons meeting at the same time from Monday, March 23, 2020. This affects social ceremonies, for example, parties, weddings, title taking, burials and funerals as well as meetings.
The government also advised traders and people visiting the markets to wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds on each occasion. Washed hands must not be dried with handkerchiefs or towels or other pieces of cloth because they may be infected, rather; washed hands should be allowed to dry naturally.
It said a distance of 6-feet should be maintained between customers and traders, while leaders of the markets are advised to buy infra – red thermometers to test people in the markets and that any person with a temperature of above 37.9 degrees Celsius should be referred to a hospital.
Professor Solo Osita Chukwulobel, Secretary to the State Government, in a statement said frequent use of hand sanitizers is strongly recommended, and handshaking, hugging and all other forms of physical contact are strongly discouraged.
The government also ordered students of tertiary institutions in Anambra State to proceed on vacation from March 20, 2020 until further notice, while all nursery, primary, secondary schools and vocational institutions [Public, Private and Mission schools] are to close from Monday, March 23, 2020, until further notice. This means no academic or extra-curricular activities are allowed in schools.
“All residents of Anambra state are advised to avoid handshaking, hugging and all other forms of close contact. They are also advised to minimize contact with door handles and hand rails and to travel only when it is absolutely necessary.
“Everyone is advised to keep a reasonable social distance when holding a conversation with someone else.
“All residents returning from countries and states with active COVID-19 cases must go into self-isolation for 14-days and contact the Anambra State Public Health Emergency Operation Center immediately (PHEOC) once they feel unwell. During self-isolation, they must take a reading of their temperatures twice daily.
“All residents are encouraged to carry hand sanitizers around with them always.” the statement advised.
PHEOC numbers are 08030953771, 08145434416, 08117567363, 08058967320.
Also, all hotels must provide hand-washing stations and sanitizers at the entrance. Guests are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds at intervals.
Management of all hotels should take a reading of the temperature of guests and visitors with non-contact infra-red thermometers
Temperatures over 37.9 degrees Celsius should be reported to the PHEOC.
Management of all hotels and restaurants must check the temperature of all their staff and customers daily.
Staff and guests should observe the guidelines of social distancing. Staff with temperatures more than 37.9 degrees Celsius should not be allowed to serve and must report to the hospital.
All Hotels are directed to keep an accurate record of all their guests including names, phone numbers and addresses.
Equally, all night clubs, lounges and bars are directed to adhere strictly to the basic standards of social distancing and to provide infra-red thermometers, hand-washing points and hand sanitizers.
All commercial transport owners and operators have also been directed to maintain a travel manifest for inbound and outbound passengers to Anambra state,,while all commercial transport owners and operators are directed to provide face masks for passengers.
Passengers are encouraged to always carry hand sanitizers with them and to wash their hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds at intervals.