RESIDENTS of Anambra State have been urged to keep observing COVID-19 protocols as the fight against the pandemic is not yet over, particularly during Christmas and New Year festivities.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, made the call in a release issued yesterday.
According to Adinuba, with Christmas and New Year season around, it is a season of social, religious and communal activities but ndi Anambra should not lose focus of the war against the global pandemic.
“The Christmas and New Year season is here with us, once again. It is a season which the people of Anambra State have always looked forward to because, apart from being a period of peace, joy, happiness and solidarity in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, it is a time of reunion for our people, a time to forge new relationships and deepen existing ones, a time for marriages and weddings, a time for funerals and remembrances, a time for key family, kindred, village and town gatherings, and a time for programmes and projects to develop both the church and society. Millions of people pour into Anambra State during this festive period from not only all parts of Nigeria but also different regions of the world. All this means that there are always large gatherings of people throughout Anambra State during the Christmas and New Year season,” the release reads in part.
The commissioner also reminded people that “the whole world is still passing through a very unusual time caused by coronavirus which is a highly infectious and deadly disease, spreading through person to person contact. Therefore, large gatherings are not encouraged this time in the interests of the people.”
Reiterating that “normal social activities will go on during this season,” the release further states that “ndi Anambra are advised to limit the number of people attending various social functions at any given time. Social activities during this season should become super spread events for COVID-19.”
Debunking the belief making rounds in some quarters that COVID-19 is over as false and misleading, the release also warned that “there is a spike around the globe right now, and many ndi Anambra, their friends and in-laws are coming home from countries with high incidences of COVID-19 infections and fatalities,” with a duty on all to minimise attendance of social gatherings that may attract large crowds.
Therefore, Adinuba enjoined ndi Adinuba to attend social functions which are absolutely necessary and always observe a social distance of at least two metres as well as wearing the face mask which covers their nose and mouth, washing hands regularly with running water and soap and apply hand sanitisers frequently.
People are so charged to cover their mouths with their elbows or disposable serviettes when they cough, with any person who loses his or her sense of taste or smell or experiences fever is advised to go for COVID-19 test with or without showing symptoms.
