Eke Awka Shutdown: Why Anambra Govt May Close More Markets

The Anambra State Government has shut down Eke Awka market for two weeks following failure of traders and buyers to observe the state government’s stipulated COVID-19 rules in the state with the shutdown taking effect from Monday, June 15, 2020.

According to statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information And Public Enlightenment Mr C. Don Adinuba, the violations are carried out by traders and buyers as well as suppliers in the market.

The statement recalled that the major condition for the reopening of markets in Anambra State on Monday, May fourth, 2020, after five weeks of closure was that all stakeholders in the markets including buyers and sellers must always wear face coverings, provide water, soaps and hand sanitizers in every line, wash their hands regularly for at least twenty seconds and keep social distancing of six feet.

It regretted that these precautionary measures meant to protect the lives of millions of people have flagrantly been violated habitually, especially in Awka Market resulting to the recent spike in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and even fatalities in the state, noting that Awka South Local Government Area, where Eke Awka is located, has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases of all LGAs in the state.

The statement said the State government is closely monitoring the level of compliance with the protocols in the battle against COVID-19 in other markets and made clear that any market found to have a low compliance level will be shut down immediately and indefinitely.

It called on all the markets, motor parks , hotels and places of worship which enjoy high traffic in Anambra State to comply strictly with the requirements in the fight to check the spread of COVID-19 and disclosed that Mobile courts are being set up in different parts of the state to try offenders who will be fined up to ten thousand naira or made to do community service.

The statement urged individuals and organizations in the state to report to the Ministry of Health or to the Local Government or to the COVID-19 Task Force in any of the three hundred and twenty-six wards in the state or the President.

General of the Town Union or the Traditional Ruler of their community any person who displays symptoms of COVID-19 like high fever, dry cough and shortness of breath as well as report any stranger in their midst or any person who has returned to the state in the last fourteen days.

It stated that the Anambra State Government considers the battle to save Ndi Anambra from COVID-19 a sacred duty.