Gov Uzodinma Threatens Second Lockdown Over Residents’ Violation Of COVID-19 Protocols

The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has threatened to impose a second lockdown on the state should residents continue to violate safety protocols against the further spread of COVID-19.

Uzodinma said the rising number of COVID-19 cases being announced daily by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) called for concern.

THE WHISTLER reports that as of Saturday, Imo ranked 21st out of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, where cases of the virus have been confirmed.

The NCDC data showed that the state had so far recorded a total of 917 infections since the first case of the virus was confirmed in February, 2020.

Governor Uzodinma, in a press statement, said if declaring a second lockdown was what is required to make residents adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols, he would not hesitate to do so.

“It is highly regrettable that in spite of my repeated appeals that we protect ourselves from this lethal pandemic by taking simple safety measures, a vast majority of our people have stubbornly refused to listen,” he said.

“The reality on ground points clearly to the fact that no matter how much we want to deceive ourselves, COVID-19 is not only real but deadly. The second wave of this virus which is now ravaging the world, our country inclusive, is even more deadly. Our people are dying almost every day from the lethal sting of this cruel virus. Yet many of us choose to live in the self delusionary fantasy that coronavirus does not exist.

“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 N20,000 in lieu.

“I must make it absolutely clear that if our people choose instead to continue to deceive themselves that coronavirus does not exist and continue to go about without face masks and without observing other safety protocols, I will be forced to review the situation in the coming weeks.

“If it is clear from the realities on ground that extra, more stringent measures must be taken to keep our people safe, I will have no choice but to authorise a second lockdown of the state.

“The choice is entirely ours to make: to strictly adhere to the simple safety protocols now or to face a complete lockdown in a few weeks.”

Meanwhile, out of the 917 cases so far confirmed in Imo, 776 are said to have recovered, while a total of 17 people have died from the virus in the state.