The governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has issued a stern warning to the people of the state over their lackadaisical attitude towards the spread of the covid-19 pandemic in the state.
He issued the warning in a statewide broadcast on Friday as he laments the carelessness and nonchalant attitudes of the people while carrying out their day-to-day activities.
In his words, “the government’s executive order making it compulsory for all Imo people to wear face masks will henceforth be enforced with unwavering determination. The Imo State covid-19 committee headed by Prof. Maurice Iwu, working with the relevant agencies in the ministry of health, has been empowered to arrest and prosecute anyone seen in public without face masks. Four mobile courts have been put in place: two in the state capital and one each in Orlu and Okigwe zones, to try offenders. The penalty for not wearing face masks is a maximum jail term of six months or #20,000 in lieu.
“The executive order further provides that any gathering of more than 50persons anywhere in the state is an offense. The conveners of such gatherings also risks six months in prison or #20,000 in lieu. It is equally an offense to hold such gatherings without making provisions for hand sanitizers and wash hand stands”.
He wondered why his simple appeal to the good people of Imo State to wear face masks, to regularly sanitize and wash their hands and observe social distancing has continued to fall on deaf ears even when it is for their own safety.
