COVID-19: Wike Ignores FG Directive, Orders Schools To Resume

In what could be deemed a scoff at the federal government order for schools to remain under lock and key in the wake of the second wave of COVID-19, River state government has directed schools to open on January 4.

The development is coming at a time states across the federation are shutting down schools, public places and restricting public gathering amid resurgence of the coronavirus in order to curtail the spread of the infection.

River state governor, Nyesom Wike, gave public and private schools the nod to resume normal academic activities

It is also a recantation of the governor’s initial stance on Monday during which he threatened to re-impose lockdown in January, following the increased cases of COVID-19 and the refusal of churches and trading places to comply with the compulsory wearing of face masks.

Ekohotblog had reported that the federal government in December said schools are to remain closed until at least January 18.

But in statement by Chidi Adiele, Rivers education ministry’s permanent secretary, Wike said approval of schools resumption  in the state from January 4, was in line with the school calendar published in August 2020.

Wike implored schools to adhere to all health advisories and COVID-19 Protocols, including the wearing of face masks, the use of hand sanitisers and the morning and afternoon classes to avoid overcrowding.

Since December 18 when schools went on the Yuletide holidays,

The state has recorded about 258 new cases of COVID-19 since schools closed for yuletide holidays in December 18,  COVID-19 updates and situation reports on the official Twitter handle of the Rivers State Public Health Emergency Operations Center show.

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Federal disease control office predicted on Tuesday that there would be more cases of COVID-19 in January 2021, lamenting a widespread lack of compliance with public safety guidelines throughout the Yuletide.