Due to the low compliance level with the ‘no mask, no movement’ order of the Cross River state government, Governor Ben Ayade Monday ordered security agencies and the COVID-19 task torce to arrest and quarantine any violator of the campaign no matter how highly placed.
A press release issued on Monday evening from the office of the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Governor, also ordered security agents to impound any vehicle carrying passengers without nose masks.
The release, which was signed by Governor Ayade’s Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita, read in part: “Following the low compliance level with the no mask, no movement order in the state, the state governor, His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade has issued the following directives.
“Security agents should henceforth impound any vehicle carrying passengers who are not wearing nose masks. Such impounded vehicles, which must be towed to the secretariat of the COVID-19 task force, should only be released after the payment of N300, 000 fine by the owner of the vehicle.
“Individuals, no matter their standing in the society, who are found in public without nose masks, should be arrested on the spot and quarantined for 14 days.
“All appointees of government, with the exception of the expatriates, performing one function or the other at the Cross River State Garment Factory are hereby relieved of such duties with immediate effect. They are hereby co-opted into the COVID-19 task force.”
The statement called on all Cross Riverians to join hands with government to keep the state COVID-19 free.
Recall that Governor Ayade had earlier in the day extended by one week the stay-at-home order issued two weeks ago to civil servants in the state. He had directed civil servants not to bother resuming at their duty post on Tuesday, April 7, the initial resumption date.
