Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state on Thursday suspended all government activities for one week following the sudden rise of cases of Covid-19 among top government officials.
In a statement by the commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barr. Uchenna Orji; the cases rose to 75 after over 3, 000 samples were tested. He noted that 26 COVID-19 cases have been discharged, while 49 cases are still receiving treatment but in stable condition.
He also said that Umahi was disturbed by the way some State Executive Council members were infected with the virus and that there was a need to take further steps to contain the spread.
According to the Commissioner for Information, in order to ensure effective contact tracing, all government offices will be shut down from today, Thursday,4th June 2020 and resume on Wednesday, 10th June 2020. The state civil servants were directed to work from their respective homes.
Barr. Orji said that the governor further directed all Government offices including the new and old government house complex to be decontaminated while the executive members and government officials, especially those of the Ministries of Finance and Budget, are to undergo COVID-19 test within seven days’ period.
He added that during the period of the closedown of government offices, all the workers, especially from the two Ministries, should go into self-isolation and noted that all site operations shall remain open, but must be in strict compliance to COVID-19- protocols.
He passionately appealed to all sons and daughters of Ebonyi State who are living outside the shores of the state to avoid the risk of returning to the state as records have shown that the positive cases hitherto recorded in the state were those returning from the epicentre states.
“The Governor further pleaded with our people to take seriously the NCDC COVID-19 Protocols, especially all precautionary measures such as hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, use of face masks, social distancing and avoiding of crowded places”, he added.