Covid-19: Rivers may Reimpose Lockdown, Says Wike

By Blessing Ibunge

The Rivers State Government has warned that it may reimpose lockdown across the 23 local government areas of the state if residents of the state continue to neglect the Covid-19 protocols.

Governor Nyesom Wike gave the warning in Port Harcourt on Monday while speaking on issues affecting the state.

Governor Wike, who disclosed that the rate of Covid-19 cases is increasing rapidly in the state as reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease for Control (NCDC), urged Rivers residents to comply with protocols and go for the vaccines.

He appealed to religious leaders and churches to convince and encourage their followers and members to go out and take the vaccines and comply with the Covid-19 protocols.

“Fellow citizens, let me also draw your attention to the alarming rate of transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic in our state.

“The daily figures released from the NCDC show that both the transmission and death rates in the last two weeks have consistently been on a rising spiral because residents and visitors to the state have largely abandoned their responsibility to comply with the existing COVID-19 protocols.

“Clearly, we are headed for a serious health disaster of profound consequences if residents and visitors continue to behave as if the pandemic no longer exists or impotent in Rivers State.

“This is a big lie and we cannot afford to continue to close our eyes to the dangers such irresponsible behaviour poses to the health, lives and livelihood of everyone.

“Accordingly, I wish to remind residents of the subsisting protocols on regular washing of hands and use of alcohol-based sanitizer; maintaining social distancing; wearing of face masks at all public places, including transport vehicles and going for immediate testing and treatment whenever you notice any of the symptoms.

“Although it remains our desire to keep the state open and allow citizens to go about their social, religious and economic activities unimpeded, but we may be constrained to reimpose the suspended COVID-19 lockdown measures across the state if the transmission of the disease continues to increase beyond tolerable limits.

“Furthermore, it has been proven that vaccinations are saving lives here and across the world and those refusing to take the vaccines for no certified medical reasons should know that they are endangering the rest of the citizens,” he said.

The governor further appealed to all residents to help protect themselves, their loved ones and the rest of the citizens by getting their jab at designated health centres in the 23 local government areas of the state as they become available.