COVID-19: No Mask, No Movement – Gov. Ayade Introduces New Rules

Due to the recent reports of confirmed five cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Akwa Ibom State, a neighbouring state to Cross River State, Governor Ben Ayade on Wednesday noon introduces new restriction order of ‘no mask, no movement’ in other to avoid the dreaded disease from spreading into the state.

The development was disclosed in a statement made available to the press on Wednesday, April 1 by Mr Christian Ita, Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Governor.

The governor further reiterates that all the state borders should remain shut down until the global pandemic subsides.

The statement reads: “Following the proliferation of new cases of coronavirus in the neighbouring state, the Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade, has imposed new restrictions on residents of the state as follows,” Ita.

“All exit and entry points into the state are now completely shut. No human or vehicular movement will be allowed into the state under any disguise.”

“No citizen or resident of the state will be allowed to leave home without a face mask from Friday 3rd, April 2020. Failure to adhere to this directive will lead to the arrest and quarantine of the offenders for 14 days.

“The Cross River State garment factory has been mandated to produce face masks to be distributed free to citizens and residents alike to meet with the demand.”

“Those who for one reason or the other are unable to get masks from the government before the new restrictions kick start are advised to purchase theirs from shops selling the item.”

He added, “All public gatherings remain banned, markets should remain closed except where foodstuff is sold.”

Meanwhile, The leadership of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has approved two million dollars emergency assistance for the World Health Organisation (WHO), to reinforce its capacity to help African countries contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Naija News reports.