The Rivers State Government has announced the relaxation of the lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas, for six days. This is with effect from Thursday, 21st May 2020. The lockdown is expected to resume on Tuesday May 26 2020 till further notice.
Governor Nyesom Wike made this known in a state-wide broadcast at Government House Port Harcourt. He said the state security council decided to relax the lockdown after its meeting. Gov. Wike noted that the relaxation only allows for free human and vehicular movements and the opening of limited businesses, such as banks, supermarkets, shopping malls and grocery shops. Markets remain closed while other directives are still in place, he asserted.
He noted that all those who refuse to comply with these directives would be arrested and prosecuted, as usual, for deliberately endangering themselves and the lives of others in the face of this deadly virus.
Wike who noted that the measures are difficult but necessary called on residents to obey government’s directives. He said the directives are not meant to punish the people of the state but aimed at protecting them from the dreaded coronavirus.