COVID-19 Rules : Market Leaders Sign Undertaking, Reassure Anambra State Govt

As the State government continues to deliberate on the reopening of Eke-Awka Market following its closure two weeks ago over non-adherence to the COVID-19 protocols, the Anambra state government has mandated all markets in the state to sign an undertaking to maintain regular cleanliness and enforce all coronavirus protocols in the markets.

The Secretary to the Anambra state Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu disclosed this in a meeting with leaders of Eke-Awka Market and environs and leaders of Anambra state COVID-19 Task Force in Awka.

Correspondent, Daniel Ezeigwe reports that the undertaking provides guidelines for keeping the markets clean at all times, adherence to the coronavirus protocols and punishments for default.

The meeting also deliberated on modalities for the reopening of the Eke-Awka Market and how prepared the leaders of the markets are to enforce government and healthcare providers’ directives on the prevention of the spread of the deadly disease in the market.

Addressing the markets leaders, Professor Chukwulobelu who read the contents of the undertaking, said that it was important that all the markets understood government’s relentless efforts to curbing the spread of the disease, with markets and other open areas observed to be the active spread spots of the sickness.

The SSG who stated that the COVID-19 task force has already kicked off work, with the mobile court set to begin next week, appealed to the members of the task force to understand the terms of their duty and not to harass or intimidate people.

The Anambra state Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr Uchenna Okafor who refuted the rumours that the Eke-Awka Market would reopen next Monday, said that while announcement on the reopening of the market was the governor’s discretion, other markets across the state that fail to obey the protocols would be shut down immediately.

The Chairman of Eke-Awka Market, Chief Jude Agumadu, who disclosed that the market has incurred a huge economic loss from the closure, said that the market would enforce all COVID-19 protocols when it is reopened.

Other market leaders at the meeting included those from Umuokpu Timber Markert, Uwakwe Ukaegbu Market, Arthur Eze Avenue and Zik’s Avenue subsidiary markets.

ABS