The Niger State Government has sustained the
lockdown imposed on the state two weeks ago as one of the steps to contain the
spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is in spite of the fact that only two positive
cases of the disease have been discovered in the state in the last one month.
The state government announced the continuation of
the lockdown in a statement made available to journalists in Minna, the state
capital, on Suuday, as it also banned inter and intrastate movements.
The statement, which was signed by the Chairman of
the COVID-19 Task Force and Secretary to
the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Matane, also maintained that
all schools would remain closed till further notice while social activities
that involve more than 20 people is still prohibited in the state.
Matane declared: "Movements within border
areas remain restricted and monitored except for those on essential services. Those
eligible to cross into the state will be examined and screened thoroughly by
medical personnel."
He argued that while the lockdown is still in force, "however, apart from those on
essential services, certain critical services such as food vendors, water
vendors, supermarkets, kiosk owners and farmers will be allowed to operate on
the condition that they will put on their face mask, observe social distancing,
provide hand washing facilities and other precautionary measures."
The SSG also restated government policy of making
face mask compulsory for all residents of the state, saying: "It is for
personal protection which prevents the spread of COVID-19 and other related
ailments.
"Every person coming into the public will be
compelled to wear face mask, and violators of this directive will be prosecuted
by mobile court."
Matane, however, assured the public that "there
will be review of the application of the measures taken by government always
with a view to reducing hardship being experienced by the people as a result of
the lockdown and other precautionary measures."
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