•The Executive Order also suspended flights to Port Harcourt and Bonny
•The Executive Order also legalises closure of markets among orders
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on March 19, 2020 formally signed an Executive Order for the closure of all land and borders into the state.
According to the Executive Order, the closure of the land and sea borders took effect on Thursday, March 26, 2020.
The Executive Order signed by the Rivers State Governor on March 19, 2020 also suspended flights to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa and Bonny Airstrip beginning Thursday, March 26, 2020.
The Executive Order signed by Governor Wike is titled: “EXECUTIVE ORDER RVSG – 01 2020 PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 2, 4 AND 8 OF QUARANTINE ACT, CAP. Q2 LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OFNIGERIA 2004 AND REGULATION 11 OF THE QUARANTINE (CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) AND OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES) REGULATIONS,2020.”The Executive Order stated: “In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Sections 4 and 8 of the Quarantine Act, Cap. Q2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and regulation 11 of Quarantine (Corona virus (COVID – 19) and Infectious Diseases) Regulations, 2020 and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON,GSSRS, Governor, Rivers State, hereby issue the following Orders:
“1.The following surveillance posts are hereby established with effect fromMarch 24, 2020,
(i) Mbiama for motorists coming from Bayelsa State;(ii) Omerelu for motorists coming from Owerri;(ii) Okehi for motorists coming Imo State;(iv) Akwuzi for motorists coming Imo State;(v) Oyigbo for motorists coming from Aba; and(vi) Opoku in Khana Local Governor Area for motorists coming fromAkwa Ibom State.”2. All marine entry points into the State including Nembe, Bille, Bonny, MarineBase, NLNG, Witt and Bush, Abuloma and Imo Rivers Jetties are to beplaced under surveillance.”3.aAll schools and institutions of higher learning in the State shall close downwith effect from Monday, March 23, 2020.”4. All public parks, night clubs, cinemas and viewing centres, are to remainclosed with effect from Tuesday, March 24, 2020 until further notice.”5.All public burials, public weddings, religious gathering and other forms ofpublic gathering are banned with effect from Tuesday, March 24, 2020 untilfurther notice.:6.All land and sea borders of the State or any part thereof shall remain closedwith effect from 6.00pm of Thursday, March 26, 2020.”The Executive Order declared that no person, or bus, truck, van, tanker, trailer orvehicle of whatsoever description shall be allowed to leave or enter theState with effect from 6.00pm on Thursday, March 26, 2020.It added: “Flight operations at the Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa,Airforce Base, Port Harcourt and Bonny Helipad are hereby suspended andno person landing at these airports shall be allowed to transit into the Stateor through the State to any neighbouring State effective 6.00pm ofThursday, March 26, 2020.”All markets in the State no matter how small are to remain closed witheffect from Saturday, March 28, 2020.”All Local Government Council Chairmen are to head Task Forces in theirrespective Local Government Areas that will ensure that markets remainclosed. Council Chairmen are further authorised to confiscate the goods ofany defaulter of this Order.”All Civil Servants from Grade Levels 1 – 10 are to remain at home fromFriday, March 27, 2020 until further notice.”Security agencies are hereby directed to enforce strict compliance with theOrders herein contained.”The Executive Order stated that each of the above Orders shall take effecton the dates and time hereinbefore mentioned and where no date or timeis specified, same shall take effect immediately.The Rivers State Governor signed the order on 19th March, 2020.Also on March 19, 2020, Governor Wike signed the Declaration of Dangerous Infectious Disease(SECTIONS 2 and 8) OF THE QUARANTINE ACT, CAP. Q2 LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, 2004.
The declaration stated: “Coronavirus (COVID – 19) is declared to be adangerous infectious disease within the meaning of the Act.”
Governor Wike signed the relevant regulations of the Executive Order on March 19, 2020. The Rivers State Governor signed the : “QUARANTINE (CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) AND OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES) REGULATIONS 2020 MADE BY HISEXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE UNDER SECTIONS 2, 4 AND 8 OF THE QUARANTINE ACT, CAP Q2, LAWS OFTHE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, 2004 TO PREVENT OR CURB THE SPREAD OF CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) AND OTHER INFECTIOUSDISEASES IN RIVERS STATE.Commencement (19th day of March, 2020)”
