Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, yesterday, hinted that the state government, was thinking of locking down the state in January, amidst the resurgence of Covid-19 in the state in the wake of a second wave.
This came as 22 out of 86 patients at the various isolation and treatment centres in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, are reported to be in critical conditions and currently placed on oxygen.
In Lagos, the state government sealed no fewer than 12 facilities for breaching Covid-19 safety protocols in line with the ban on operations of night clubs as part of measures to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, while the state threatened to bring the full weight of the law to bear on all those flouting the directive.
In another development, Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen has tested positive for Covid-19 after a routine test conducted on her and members of the family and she has gone into self isolation.
Meanwhile, Lagos State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has, authorized churches in the state to conduct their 2021 cross over services, as it called for the maintenance of all Covid-19 protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.
This came as Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, issued protocol for all passengers originating from the United Kingdom and South Africa effective from December 28, regardless of transit arrangements.
It also warned that a $3,500 fine would be imposed on any airline that flies in a passenger that defaults on the new Covid-19 compliance, saying such airline may be required to return non-Nigerian defaulting passengers to their point of embarkation.
Meanwhile, in Osun, the state government has cancelled the annual countdown to New Year ceremonies and cross over nights in all forms by religious bodies during the New Year eve, while it directed security operatives to enforce the order without exception.
To mark the maiden International Epidemic Preparedness Day, the United Nations, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called on the world to plan for preparation for the next pandemic even as it strives to recover from the current one.
Wike on Rivers
Wike, giving the hint in Port Harcourt, yesterday, expressed worry over the refusal by most churches and markets in the state to comply with wearing of face mask and other established protocols against spread of the pandemic.
He said: “We will re-impose lockdown beginning from January as the number of Coronavirus cases surge in the state.
“Go to some churches, go to markets, they don’t wear masks. They believe Covid is not real. It’s not real because it has not happened to you. When somebody close to you has died, you will know that Covid is real.
“It is real and I appeal to all that we have to be more strict now because the second wave is more dangerous than the first, very, very dangerous. I know how many people we have lost since the second wave started.
Vanguard