Step out of your house without mask and pay N10,000 fine, community service, Obiano orders

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state has advised people of the state to ensure they always put on face masks while stepping out of their houses or be ready to pay a fine of N10,000 or certain hours of community service.

He said it was an offence to be seen in the public without a face mask.

Speaking during a Special Broadcast on Covid-19, the Governor advised the citizenry to comply with the law to avoid paying the fine.

He said, “Ndi Anambra as you are probably aware, on Thursday last week, I signed the Covid-19 Bill into law. Under this new Covid-19 Law it is an offence to be seen in the public without a face mask. The offence attracts a fine of ten thousand naira or some hours of community service.

“I would like to re-emphasize that my administration is determined to enforce this law. So, I’d advise every ezigbo onye Anambra to comply with this law to avoid paying the fine that comes with disobeying it.”

He expressed satisfaction with the efforts so far in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic which he said had reflected in the minimal casualties recorded in the state.

“Our dear state has continued to do well in the fight against this virus. As it stands now, we have 8 patients in our Protective Care Centers. We also have 69 individuals on home quarantine and 2 individuals in the facility based quarantine. We shall continue to push back at this pandemic until we have reduced its presence in Anambra State.

“We are ramping up our testing capacity to ensure that we slow down the spread of this pandemic in our dear state. The Covid-19 Committees that we have set up in Wards and Local Governments across Anambra State are helping us in driving the campaign to every nook and cranny of the state.

“A likely outcome of running more Covid-19 tests is that there will be more reported cases in Anambra State. But I would like to assure you that we have made adequate arrangements to handle the challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. Ndi Anambra, unu atuna egwu. We shall overcome this virus by the grace of God,” he stated.

Expressing worry over the lowering of guard on the Covid-19 protocols by traders and Religious Groups in the state, Obiano warned that he might consider shutting down the markets if the trend was not halted with immediate effect.

He said, “Ndi Anambra, the information we received from different quarters indicate that our people have started lowering their guard on the Covid-19 protocols. I have it on good authority that traders in various markets no longer comply with the enforcement of the wearing of face masks and the washing of hands.

“I want to warn that we may consider shutting down the markets if this trend is not halted with immediate effect. I have also received similar reports from churches and other religious groups in the state most of whom have discarded the wearing of face masks. I urge the leadership of all religious bodies in Anambra State to ensure compliance with the standard protocols of Covid-19 without further delay.

“We have continued to evolve new approaches to handling the Covid-19 pandemic. We have observed that while ramping up the number of Covid-19 tests we run in our dear state is important, it is even more important to ensure that patients suspected of having the Covid-19 virus do not multiply the spread of the contagion.

“As a result of that, every hospital in Anambra State must set up a mini holding ward where patients whose samples have been taken for a Covid-19 test can be kept while the result of the test is awaited. This approach will minimize the chances of patients spreading the virus through multiple contacts.”

The governor further announced special training of Volunteers for Covid-19 cases in the state.

“We shall soon be organizing a specialized training on how to manage Covid-19 cases in Anambra State. We are looking for volunteer doctors, nurses, cleaners and other medical personnel whose services are needed in the management of Covid-19 patients in hospitals. The Ministry of Information will soon create the necessary awareness on the proposed training and how volunteers can be enrolled.

“All members of the Nigerian Medical Association practicing in Anambra State are expected to inform the Ministry of Health once they collect samples of suspected Covid-19 patients for testing. A situation where some members had collected samples and sent to the testing centers on their own is no longer be allowed. All Covid-19 efforts in Anambra State with regards to the collection of samples and the presentation of specimen to NCDC must be centralized going forward.

“As we heavy up our efforts to combat Covid-19 in our dear state, we have set up a mechanism that will challenge our people to bring out their ingenuity in manufacturing Personal Protective Equipment. Throughout history, our people have responded to challenges that force us to look inwards for solutions that will guarantee our survival. I have no doubt that we have enough talent in Anambra State to provide us some durable Personal Protective Equipment within the shortest possible time,” he added.

The governor commend the efforts of the healthcare workers who remained at the frontline of defence structure against the virus, saying he was aware they had since raised their game as the number of cases rises in the state.

“Our knowledge of this pandemic has continued to grow in recent times. It has been discovered that when we boost our immune system, we give our bodies a chance to resist all infections including the Covid-19 virus. I would advise that we eat healthy food and take the right supplements including vitamins, to give our bodies the weapon to fight infections.

“Ndi Anambra we have responded very well to the difficulties imposed on our way of life by this pandemic. We have fought back to reckoning by complying with the standard response prescribed by the WHO and the NCDC for Covid-19. I have no doubt that if we continue to maintain the same level of discipline we will be giving ourselves enough headroom to overcome this pandemic,” he concluded.