Henceforth, the use of face masks by persons in public places is compulsory in Akwa Ibom State.
In a statewide radio and television broadcast on Saturday morning, Governor Udom Emmanuel who said he was adhering to the guidelines from the Federal Government further announced a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the state from 8 p.m to 6 a.m effective Monday, May 4.
Emmanuel who announced the relaxation of some restrictions put in place as the government works to curtail the spread of coronavirus pandemic said: “markets will be opened three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays) between 10 a.m to 4 p.m to enable people to stock up their supplies.”
He maintained that “the ban on religious gatherings, hospitality services, social gatherings, parties, funerals, and concerts remain in effect until further notice. All plazas and recreational centres are to remain closed.
“Non-essential inter-state movements remain prohibited except those involving agricultural produce or medical personnel and equipment.
“Taxis must carry a maximum of three persons (one in front and two behind) and buses must not carry more than two persons per row. All public transport operators must provide hand sanitizers in their vehicles.”
He announced a phased resumption of duties that will come into effect soon to help reopen the economy and get the machinery of governance moving again.
The governor, however, directed Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries to work out modalities that will get the staff of their respective ministries to return to work in batches, warning that not more than 30 per cent of the workforce of each Ministry, Department and Agency should be at work at any given time.
