Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state has ordered the immediate shut down of all courts in the state just as the state records its first death from COVID-19.

In a statewide broadcast delivered on Friday, June 19, the governor said the courts are to remain closed for the next 10 days to enable health workers to fumigate the buildings and premises. He directed all judicial staff in the state and their families to immediately proceed for COVID-19 testing.

“It is unfortunate that we have recorded one death due to this Covid-19 and it makes me so sad. I am directing that in line with the Covid-19 law all the courts in Ebonyi state be shutdown for the next 10 days.

The Judiciary, State High Court, Industrial Court, Federal High Court, Magistrate court should all be shutdown.Also, I advise all the Judiciary officcers and their families to undergo Covid-19 tests. I have ordered that all the Judiciary buildings and premises should be immediately fumigated within the 10 days”.

Speaking further, the Governor advised residents of the state to take all COVID-19 precautionary guidelines seriously as the state has witnessed a spike in the number of confirmed cases in recent times.

“We are not contemplating closing markets and churches but we advise them to please take this matter serious. If you are working ensure that you sanitise yourself every 10 minutes. This is very serious. We have a spike because we have a high testing.

People may have the Covid-19 but won’t show any symptoms but will go about spreading it.Some people with the virus will argue that they are not showing any symptoms.

Yes, your immune system is fighting it but the next person that may be weaker than you is at danger and our job is to protect everybody in Ebonyi” he said

According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC. Ebonyi state has 234 confirmed cases of COVID19.