Abia govt directs residents to go for Covid-19 test in the state for free

Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State Governor addressing people on the need to stay safe, from Covid-19 

 (Nigeria) The Abia State Government has directed the residents of the state to go for tests for free of charge by making use of Sample Collection Centres at the various Local Government Areas including Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Aba and Molecular Testing Laboratory at Amachara, provided by the government.

The government set up the Sample Collection Centres, at the various local government areas, following the massive influx of people into the State for the Yuletide celebration.

It said that it’s worried about the continued rise in the confirmed cases of Covid-19, but that it would continue to review measures already put in place to curb the incidents of the new surge in the state.

Secretary to the State Government Chris Ezem, in a press release on January 6, 2021, stated that as a responsible Government, we would continue to evolve ways to protect Abians, and our environment with a view to preventing further community transmission.

He said that government has resolved to call on all Abians, to make themselves available for covid-19 test.

“We wish to inform Abians that Government has set up Sample Collection Centres at the various Local Government Areas including Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Aba and Molecular Testing Laboratory at Amachara. All sample collections and tests are free of charge,” Ezem said.

According to him, as part of the measures to mitigate the effect of the pandemic in the State, all Abians are required to compulsorily wear their face masks at all times. Going forward, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Public Offices, Eateries, Hospitals and Banks are hereby directed to paste on all their entrances “No Face Mask, No Entry” notice/inscription. This is compulsory and failure to do so will attract sanction. In addition, such MDAs and public offices and places are required as a matter of necessity to provide all Covid-19 Protocols particularly running water and hand sanitizers within their offices.

Ezem said, the government has also directed all Local Government Chairmen, Traditional Institutions, Leadership of various Market Unions and Religious bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) etc to embark on Advocacy/Sensitization Exercise on Covid-19, and religious worship must be in line with laid down Covid-19 protocols.

 “The State work force will still operate with Grade Level 12 and above and those on essential services will continue to work Mondays through Fridays.

 “It is absolutely expedient that all Abians must take advantage of the ongoing community testing to ascertain their Covid-19 status.

 “Our Isolation Centres are in operation and all our Medical Protocol Team are in place.

 “The State Covid-19 Enforcement Team will immediately begin routine visit to public places to ensure compliance.

 “Government directs all and sundry to observe the protocol of social distancing, hand washing, use of sanitizers and to take personal responsibility in order to save their families and loved ones,” he said.