Schools in Rivers State are expected to reopen for normal academic activities on Monday after a long spell of closure due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision to reopen schools was reached by the Rivers State Executive Council at an emergency session presidÂed over by the State GoverÂnor, Nyesom Wike on Friday night at Government House, Port Harcourt.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku while briefing journalists at the end of the meeting.
Professor Ebeku said that all Secondary Schools, Vocational Schools, UniverÂsities and other Tertiary InÂstitutions were affected by the directive.
He however stated that Council did not approve the reopening of primary schools based on expert medÂical advice.
Ebeku added that CounÂcil also approved the setting up of a seven-man taskforce to monitor and enforce the compliance of COVID-19 proÂtocols in the various schools.
The taskforce, he said, has the Administrator of GreatÂer Port Harcourt, AmbasÂsador Desmond Akawor as Chairman while Mr. Rufus Godwins, Head of the State Civil Service, Commissioner for Health, Professor PrinceÂwill Chike, Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Inime Aguma, CommissionÂer for Commerce and IndusÂtry, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nwankpa and Commissioner for InÂformation and CommunicaÂtions, Paulinus Nsirim are to serve as members.
Also speaking, the ComÂmissioner for Information and Communications, PasÂtor Paulinus Nsirim, anÂnounced the reopening of public places such as parks, cinemas and restaurants that would operate within the hours of 6am and 9pm daily.
Nsirim stated that night clubs and bars as well as Oil Mill Market and Slaughter Market, Oginigba remain closed.
He said that all the reopened public places must adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols or face severe sanctions.
The Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Inime Aguma said government reviewed the compliance of citizens as it relates to ExecÂutive Order 16 on the conduct of marriages in the State.
Aguma stated that henceÂforth, applications for marÂriages must be accompanied with an affidavit stating that there would be no reception.
According to him, all pubÂlic burials in the state are to be conducted in line with the Official Gazette of the State which stipulates that not more 50 persons are allowed at such ceremonies.
Chike stated that henceÂforth, families applying for burials must provide death certificates and an affidaÂvit that they must adhere strictly with all COVID-19 protocols.
According to him, all pubÂlic burials in the state are to be conducted in line with the Official Gazette of the State which stipulates that not more 50 persons are allowed at such ceremonies.
Chike stated that henceÂforth, families applying for burials must provide death certificates and an affidaÂvit that they must adhere strictly with all COVID-19 protocols.