* Imposes night time curfew from 8p.m to 6a.m on Bonny LGA and Onne Community in Eleme LGA with effect from July 10, 2020 till further notice.
*Sets up Task force to enforce wearing of face masks
* Plans to reopen markets
Okafor Ofiebor Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike announced the sack of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Sunny Okere with immediate effect for flouting and obstructing the enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines.
Wike, who announced this while complaining about the failure of residents of the state to adhere to prescribed measures to curb COVID-19 protocols said the sack of the Permanent Secretary would serve as a lesson to all other public officers who may wish to be irresponsible.
Governor Wike who said this in Port Harcourt on Wednesday during a broadcast also appealed to residents of the State to take personal responsibility to curb the spread of Coronavirus.
He also cautioned that with the commencement of inter-state travels and domestic travels, residents must be cautious in relating with friends and relatives coming from heavily impacted areas like Lagos and Abuja in line with the established protocol of 14 days Isolation.
Giving the COVID -19 status of the State, the Governor said, “As at July 8, 2020, the COVID-19 status of our State is as follows: Total samples collected: 4573, Total samples tested: 3871, Total confirmed cases: 1235, Total discharged cases: 810, Total active cases: 382, Total death: 43, New cases: 30
“From the first days of this virus, we took serious measures and literally set the pace in our country to slow down the spread.
“We have noticed that most affected people are resorting to self medication instead of presenting themselves for treatment at the State’s Treatment Centres.
“Those who experience symptoms of fever, cough, loss of smell or taste and shortness of breath, among others should present themselves for appropriate treatment at the expense of the State Government.
“Furthermore, in the face of increasing infections and systemic risk to public health and safety, most residents have continued to disregard the mitigating protocols with reckless abandon.
“Public and private transporters, business owners and churches are refusing to adhere to the relevant protocols.
“Burial ceremonies are also reportedly being conducted in clear breach of the 50 persons maximum attendance limit such that a serving Permanent Secretary had the temerity to chase away officials of the State Ministry of Health who went to enforce the established guidelines on public burials at Oyigbo,” he said.
The Governor therefore announced the sack of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Sunny Okere with immediate effect for flouting and obstructing the enforcement of the guidelines.
This, he said, would serve as a lesson to all other public officers who may wish to be irresponsible.
He assured that government would decontaminate public schools to keep them safe for resumption in line with the Federal Government’s Guidelines.
Government, he said, is also appraising the prospect of opening markets as soon as it is satisfied that it is safe with appropriate guidelines on social distancing, hand washing and wearing of face masks.
Governor Wike announced the setting up of a Joint Task force made up of security and civilian personnel to enforce the wearing of face masks.
He stated that to sustain the progress made in the state, the State Security Council has imposed a night time curfew from 8p.m to 6a.m on Bonny Local Government and Onne Community in Eleme Local Government with effect from July 10, 2020 until further notice.
The Governor assured all health workers, including doctors and nurses that government would continue to cater for their welfare as they continue to serve the state at grave risks to their own lives.
He added that government would not fail to do whatever it takes to slow down the spread of the virus.