Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, on Monday, banned all forms of public gathering in the state for one month.

The Governor stated this at the town hall meeting which held at the International Conference Centre Abakaliki, the State Capital.

He listed such public gatherings to include burials, weddings, conferences, seminars and any other large gatherings.

Represented by his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe, the Governor said the ban is for a period of one month in the first instance.

He said the ban is part of measures to protect the people from contacting the deadly Coronavirus which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

He said:

“It is painful to take the decision but government had to reason that it is better to let the dead bury the dead for now. But if you feel that you cannot wait, then you can take the corpse and bury just you and your family without any ceremony and invitation to anybody”.

The Governor also said Civil Servants in the state shall from the 25 of March be advised to work from home.

He, however, said those on essential services shall be exempted from the order.

The Governor warned traditional rulers and council Chairmen against shielding any person suspected to have contacted the deadly virus.

He said anybody suspected to have contacted the virus should immediately be sent to the nearest health centre for onwards transfer to the state isolation centre, which has been built at the Unity Square Abakaliki, for proper treatment and care.