Coronavirus: Rivers to close all borders from Thursday

The Rivers state government says it will close its borders from Thursday to prevent coronavirus (COVID-19) from spreading to the state.

Speaking on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Nyesom Wike, the governor, said the restriction will affect air, land and sea borders.

The governor said no passenger will be allowed into the state from the airport.

Wike said no vehicle will be allowed to enter or go out of the state, and that security agencies have been mandated to enforce the directive.

“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,” Wike said.

“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 governor had announced the closure of academic institutions, religious centres and markets in the state.