BREAKING: Rivers State Govt Imposes N10m fine for Conducting weddings Amid COVID-19

Amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria, the Rivers State Government has announced a fine of N10million to be paid by violators of COVID-19 guidelines on marriages and weddings.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, announced this in a statement, adding that the Governor, Nyesom Wike approved the guidelines.

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According to the report, prospective couples must gain approval through the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation by tendering all necessary information before carrying out any wedding ceremony.

Nsirim gave directives on the number of guests and time a wedding ceremony in River state will run for, alleging that it is a strategy to reduce the spread of the pandemic currently affecting the world at large.

He also noted that during any wedding celebration, the celebrants must provide water and soap at the venue.

He said: “All Weddings/Marraiges have an attendance limit of 50 people. The names, addresses, and phone number of all attendees have madly available with the application to enable quick contact tracing if the need arises.

“Soap and running water have to be kept at the entrance to the venue in not less than three places while all attendees are to wear face masks and maintain social distancing of not less than two meters.

“Church weddings are to be conducted between 9am and 12noon, while traditional weddings are to be conducted between 4pm and 7pm. Reception ceremonies are not permitted.

“A representative of the Ministry would be present to observe the event. A fine of N10,000,000 is to be paid by anyone that puts people at risk by breaking this regulation.”