Abia State Government has announced two days of intra-state free movement to allow Christian residents to celebrate Easter.
The government had earlier extended the lockdown in the state over the coronavirus by seven days.
However, the Secretary to the State Government, Chris Ezem, said in a statement on Thursday that the two-day relaxation of the lockdown on Good Friday and Easter Sunday was to enable residents shop and perform other religious activities in commemoration of Easter.
The SSG, who is also the chairman of the COVID-19 Committee in the state, said that Muslims and Christians were free to attend Friday and Sunday services respectively.
He urged them to wear face masks and also maintain a distance of 1.5 metres.
According to Ezem, while borders of the state would be closed within the two-day relaxation period, the seven-day extension continues from 3 pm on April 12 to April 17.
“In view of the impending Easter Celebrations, the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD has magnanimously approved a relaxation of the extended 7-day lockdown in the state,” he said.
“Accordingly, there would be free movement of people within the state ONLY between the hours of 6 am on Friday, April 10 (Good Friday) and 2pm on Sunday, April 12 (Easter Sunday),2020.
“Accordingly, religious worshippers shall be free to worship at their various churches and mosques but must compulsorily observe the following guidelines –
“Not more than 50 persons per stream of worship and a social distance of 1.5m must be maintained. All worshippers MUST wear face mask.
“Churches and Mosques MUST provide a minimum of 4 points for handwashing with running water and soap.
“Hand sanitizers MUST also be provided at different points for the use of intending worshippers.
“The State and Local Government Enforcement Teams and Security Operatives shall continue to move around to ensure strict compliance.”
He also said the relaxation order does not extend to public gatherings such as burial ceremonies, weddings, meetings and clubbing.
“All our state borders remain closed and security operatives must continue to ensure strict compliance.
“All public places allowed to operate like Supermarkets and Malls MUST NOT entertain more than 10 persons at a time subject to differences in size and must maintain minimum STANDARDS of hygiene by providing handwashing materials, sanitizers and digital thermometers,” he said.
