41 guests, workers ‘held’ in Imo hotel over COVID-19 scare

By MUSTAPHA TEMIDAYO

No fewer than 41 guests and workers of a hotel in Owerri, the Imo State capital, have been quarantined by the State Government following a suspected case of COVID-19.

The hotel, identified as Fancy Hotel, is situated along Road 7, Umuguma, Housing Estate, World Bank, Owerri.

There were rumours that the hotel was locked down by security agencies for necessary investigation by medical emergency.

Already, the hotel has been barricaded by dozens of security operatives to prevent entry and exit.

One of the guests locked inside the hotel told The Nation that they were locked up since 1:00 am without any explanation.

He said they were only told they would stay in the hotel for two weeks before they would be released.

The source said: “The security team arrived the hotel by 1am this morning. They directed that nobody goes in and nobody leaves the hotel.

“They told the occupants of the hotel that we will remain in the hotel for 14 days. Which I think is quarantine.

“As I’m talking to you, I can’t say for sure why we are being locked in.”

Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, said that the hotel was locked down to serve as deterrence to others who failed to obey the order that hand sanitisers be provided and temperatures of guests be monitored before check in.

According to Emelumba, the hotel management failed to observe Governor Hope Uzodinma’s orders regarding guests, adding the guest samples has been sent for tests. (The Nation)