Total Lockdown in Bayelsa State following an index case of Covid-19

Bayelsa State Governor made a pronouncement today following the index case of corona virus recorded in the State. In his pronouncement he declared a one week total shutdown of the State with effect from midnight Monday 27th April 2020. His statement reads;

"COVID-19 UPDATE:

I announce with regret that we have joined the league of states with the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is coming over eight weeks since the first case was announced in Nigeria.

The index case in Bayelsa is a 49 years old female. She has since been evacuated to the Niger Delta University Teaching  Hospital (NDUTH ) Isolation Center for further management.

As a procedure to stop the spread, we have started tracing all her contacts while necessary environmental decontamination will be carried out immediately at the Bayelsa Specialist Hospital where she was hospitalized.

Following the latest sad development, I have placed a one week compulsory stay at home, except those on essential duties, beginning from midnight today.

I plead with Bayelsans and others who reside in the state to continue to adhere to the established preventive protocols against the virus. 

It is a battle we can win but to achieve that feat, we must work together with complimentary efforts. This is not the time to panic. It is also not the time to spread falsehood.

I assure you that if we all do our part, it will end in victory!

#GreaterBayelsa".

Bayelsans have recieved this news with mixed feelings and are now making appeals for flexibility to allow people receive salaries, buy food and prepare for a total lockdown.

In a facebook post, comrade Ebi Sikpi, a Labour leader and Writer added his voice and called on the Governor to give Bayelsans a grace period before effecting a total shut down in the State. His post reads;

 

"The Governor's mandatory stay at home order/directive for the next one week except for those on essential duties and sales is a welcome development and acceptable in a bid to curb the spread of the corona virus.

However, I would plead with His Excellency to pay salaries to workers first and give a grace period for buying and stocking of foods to reduce the burden the total lock down would cause.

The directive without prior notice is causing panic and confusion.

Thank you sir!"