Delta State Government has set out new guidelines in its fight against COVID-19.
The new guidelines which will be effective from Thursday, 30th April, mandates all citizens and residents of Delta State to utilise face-masks in public places.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in a statement on Tuesday said ‘public places’ include offices, markets, malls, supermarkets, salons, hospitals and health clinics, churches, mosques, and all other ‘approved’ gatherings.
He also banned all conferences, sporting activities, gathering of people in convention/event centres, sports fields, public/open spaces, as well as recreational and cultural/communal activities until 31st May 2020.
The governor, however, said burials and weddings will be allowed but must be conducted with the social distancing rule of maintaining a 6ft distance amongst attendees must be applied. Additionally, the number of guests must not exceed 50.
According to the guidelines, all schools, both public and private, will remain closed until Sunday, 31st May 2020.
The guidelines mandates all entertainment centres, including cinemas, bars and night clubs to remain closed until Sunday, 31st May 2020.
Accordingly, all restaurants and canteens are to operate a strict ‘take-away only’ policy; while hotels will be allowed to open (with in-room dining). However, hotel restaurants, bars and night clubs must remain closed till further notice.
It stipulates that all transport services will be allowed to operate. However, they must not exceed the following numbers of passengers:
Kekes — 2 passengers at the back;
Taxis —1 passenger in front and 2 at the back; and
16/18 Seater Busses — 10 to 12 passengers maximum.
The airports, however, will remain closed to passenger traffic till further notice.
Okowa said that on Thursday, 30th April, to chart the way forward for our places of worship, he would be meeting with religious leaders to discuss all possible options. However, all religious crusades/conventions remain banned till further notice.
