By Izunna Okafor
In a bid to curtail the further spread of Corona Virus, otherwise known as Covid-19, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation, Sir Chuka Nnabuife has cautioned and sensitized the staff of the institution on the safety measures to keep them free from the pandemic disease.
Addressing the staff on Wednesday at the organisation's complex, Awka, Sir Nnabuife informed them emphatically that the pandemic disease was real, owing to its current ravaging strikes in different parts of the world.
He highlighted some of the top-ranking personalities who have contracted the disease in the country and in different parts of the world, to including the Chief of Staff to President Muhammad Buhari, Mr Abba Kyari; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Prince Charles of United Kingdom among numerous others, with over 435,006 deaths and over 19,624 confirmed cases globally.
This, he said is very alarming and worrisome, owing to the fact that there's no cure yet for the disease anywhere in the world, against some people's spurious claim that chloroquine can cure the deadline disease.
He noted that the management of the organisation has made running water and hand sanitizer available at different entrances within the organisation's complex, and urged everybody to wash and sanitize their hands regularly, restrict movements and avoidable physical contact, further admonishing them to buy and stock food items and other necessities, for the fear of the unknown.
Acknowledging that the best for now is the to keep safe from the ubiquitous disease, the National Light helmsman noted that the organisation provides essential services, and thus, may not consummately shut down like other ministries in the state, even as he further advised them to adhere to the State Government's directive and Safety Advisory Tips regarding the disease.
These 15-point directives, as was recently issued by the State Governor, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano are as follow:
1. Civil servants in the state are hereby directed to proceed on a 14-day work-from-home with effect from Tuesday, March 24, 2020. However, any civil servant may be called upon at any given time to handle an urgent assignment as the case arises. This directive excludes all staff of Anambra State Ministry of Health workers and officers on essential duty.
2. All public gatherings are hereby suspended in Anambra State till further notice with effect from today, March 23, 2020. This includes traditional marriage ceremonies, community festivals, ofala festivals, masquerade festivals, Igbankwu nwanyi, funeral ceremonies, baby christening, new yam festivals, title-taking ceremonies and any meeting of more than 30 participants. Traditional rulers and President General of Communities must ensure full compliance or be held responsible.
3. All nursery, primary, secondary, vocational and tertiary schools are hereby closed with immediate effect. All academic and extra-curricular activities are hereby suspended.
4. All public transport operators are directed to submit the manifest of all passengers coming into Anambra State to the appropriate authorities with their names, phone numbers, residential addresses and final destination.
5. The general public is mandated to maintain a habit of frequent hand-washing with soap and water as well as use alcohol based hand sanitizers.
6. No Keke or tricycle rider should carry more than two passengers at a time.
7. Drivers of shuttle buses must not carry more than 3 passengers at a time.
8. Drivers of township and mini buses must not carry more than 5 passengers at a time.
9. The public is strongly advised to only visit the markets for essential commodities.
10. All night clubs are hereby closed until further notice. People should endeavor to sit at home.
11. Operators of bars and restaurants should not admit more than 30 customers at a time and must adhere strictly to the basic standards of social distancing. They must also provide hand-washing points and hand sanitizers for their customers. Any violation will attract immediate closure of the premises.
12. All persons returning to Anambra State from all countries of the world and states that have Covid-19 cases must go into self-isolation for 14 days and report.
13. Security Agencies have been directed to ensure full compliance.
14. Finally, we have constituted an Action Committee on Covid-19 headed by myself to ensure hands-on attention to the best ways of containing this plague.
15. All calls related to suspected Covid-19 should be routed to Anambra Public Health Emergency Operation Center on 08030953771 and 08117567363.
Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation (ANPC) is the longest-thriving state-owned newspaper in Nigeria, as well as the publishers of the National Light Newspaper, Ka Ọ Dị Taa Igbo Newspaper and Sportslight Xtra.
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