Forty-four defaulters of COVID -19 preventive protocols have been arrested and charged to court at Nnewi as the Anambra State government as  the Office of the Secretary to the State Government embarked on COVID-19 enforcement exercise within Nnewi and environs.

Correspondent, Chimezie Umeh, reports that  the enforcement exercise was in collaboration with the State Ministry of Transport, the Nigeria Police, Anambra Traffic Management Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the OCHA Brigade, Anambra South Senatorial District Chapter.

Speaking before the exercise, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu represented by Mr.  Sunday Okafor, Anambra State COVID-19 Administrative Officer, noted that it is necessary  to  Sustain sensitization  the people on the need to always have their facemasks properly fitted on their face and remind them of  possible punishment for  defaulters at the mobile court.

He stressed that the Obiano administration will not relent in her efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

The Secretary to the State Government explained that government is not so much interested in the fines from defaulters nor their prison sentences, but wants all to comply with the COVID-19 protocols, especially wearing of facemask  at  public places.

The Zonal Commander of the OCHA Brigade in the Anambra South Senatorial District Mr Emmanuel Obi maintained that the government will continue to work for the wellbeing of her citizenry.

The Coordinator COVID-19 Taskforce, Nnewi Zone, Mr. Chikeluba Ezefunamba called on the people to always go out with their facemasks, so as not to force the government embark on another lockdown due to the increase in the spread of the virus.