It is now compulsory for all residents of Abia State and those visiting and/or passing through Abia State to wear authentic face masks in all public places such as markets, petrol stations, shops, shopping malls, event centers, bars, hotels, places of worship, educational institutions, prisons, offices etc.
The State Governor, Dr. Victor Ikpeazu, who gave the directive in a release personally signed by him, said he was acting in exercise of the powers conferred on him by paragraph 15(2) of the Abia state Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020 and other extant laws.
The release equally mandated all occupiers of premises where members of the public visit for commercial, ceremonial, religious, charity, and or educational purposes to provide hand sanitizers and/or running water with soap to enable visitors to these places sanitize and/or wash their hands before entering the premises.
According to him, the whole directive takes effect from 15th day of April, 2020.