COVID-19: Wike goes tough, says no one can go out, come into Rivers State

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike on Wednesday said no one is allowed to come in or go out of the state until further notice.

The governor handed down the order in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday as part of measures to curb the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 disease, also known as Coronavirus, to the state.

According to Wike, all land, air and sea borders into the state will be closed effectively from Thursday, March 26, 2020

It would recalled that the Federal Government had earlier banned international flights from coming into the country but allowed local flights to continue operations.

The governor however said passengers who land at the Prot Harcourt Airport will not be allowed into the state.

Wike said: “The State Security Council has taken the following painful decisions: With effect from 6pm on Thursday, March 26, 2020, the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, will not be open to air traffic.

“While we may not have the right to stop flights from entering Port Harcourt, we cannot allow anybody coming from the airport to enter our state. We are confident that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and other federal agencies will cooperate with us. All land and sea borders will be closed.

“Vehicular movements in an out of the state have been banned. In essence, no vehicle will leave Rivers State for any other state and no vehicle will be allowed to enter the state. New measures will be put in place until further notice.

“Let me reiterate that security agencies have been empowered to strictly enforce this directive. There will be no room for sacred cows because the virus is no respecter of persons.”

The latest precautionary order from the governor is coming on the heels of an earlier one directing the closure of Port Harcourt’s biggest market, Oil Mill Market.