Delta Warns against Improper Use of Face Masks, Social Distancing

Delta State Government has warned that non-use or improper use of face masks and failure to observe social distancing in public places across the state would henceforth be prosecuted and those involved taken to isolation centres.

The state government said it took the decision to stem the tide of abuse of the two major precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, lamenting that many people were treating with levity the proper use of face masks and social distancing particularly in public places and even on public transport vehicles.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, relayed the warning to journalists after a meeting of the state Technical Committee on Prevention of COVID-19 at the Government House in Asaba on Monday.

He said the use of facemask should be complemented with strict observance of social distancing, stressing that none should be adopted alternatively.

The information commissioner also revealed that the state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has approved special duty allowances for all categories of health workers involved in the management and treatment of the COVID-19 patients in the state.

Payment of the expanded allowances to the health workers would commence in 48 hours, he further disclosed.

 

Aniagwu said: "What we have observed is that some individuals wear the face masks and decide to drag it to cover their beards and chin, therefore, anybody not wearing a face mask in public will be taken to isolation centre by the security agents because if you are not wearing it, it means you have the virus and want to spread it; and you are not interested in the health of others.

"Commercial vehicle drivers carrying passengers without face masks should be impounded and the individual not putting face masks should be taken to isolation centre.

"Any business centre that attends to any customer not wearing facemask risks being closed permanently. It’s not only the government that should enforce the wearing of face mask, but every business centre

that wants to remain should also enforce it.

"Health workers on the line of preventing the COVID-19 spread will be paid their allowances. At this moment, before now, we had earmarked on certain amount of money for all health workers involved in the management of isolation and treatment centres, but we are informed that there are other health workers also exposed in the line of duty. So, within the next 48 hours, their insurance will be worked out.”

Aniagwu, who was flanked a little distance off by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, stressed that wearing of face masks does not mean citizens should ignore the aspect of social distancing in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.