Coronavirus: El-Rufai announces partial lockdown in Kaduna, orders civil servants to stay at home
- Governor Nasir El-Rufai has announced a partial lockdown in Kaduna state
- The governor ordered all civil servants to stay at home for 30 days
- El-Rufai, however, said that only food, medicine sellers would be allowed in markets
Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna state, has directed a partial lockdown in the state, saying that, all civil servants from level 12 and below, should remain at home for the next 30 days, effective from Tuesday, March 24.
The Nation reports that El Rufai in a state broadcast on Monday, March 23, directed that from Tuesday, March 24, markets should be partially open, saying that, ‘’only traders selling food and medicines are permitted to open their shops.
Legit.ng gathered that the governor who said that the directive became necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus, pointed out that, his government would not hesitate to enforce a total lockdown of the state of the need arises.
The governor, however, said that workers providing essential services workers in the health, security and emergency service sectors are exempted from the directive.
He decried that though the government’s directive against large gatherings was flouted, however, expressed gratitude to those religious leaders who complied with the directive.
Source: Facebook
El-Rufai further said that the government ‘’received reports of congregations in some churches and mosques, as well as large crowds in weddings and other social activities.’’
“Over the weekend, we also sadly observed shocking levels of complacency as some people ignored their responsibility to uphold preventive measures."
He said: ‘’security agencies have been directed to ensure compliance across the state. These agencies will also enforce compliance with the decision to close all schools, whether public or private, religious or secular, Islamiya or run by Christian missions.’
‘’The state government will not hesitate to impose a statewide curfew, should that become the only way to enforce compliance and make everyone understand the collective danger that we face.’’
The governor also directed that markets will remain partially open as ‘’only traders selling food and medicines are permitted to open their shops, effective from Tuesday, March 24.’’
“This directive will be vigorously enforced by the security agencies and the Kaduna Markets Development and Management Company which will also ensure that all markets are fumigated,’’ he added.
The governor said that he would not hesitate to impose a lockdown of the entire state, if events dictate, adding that ‘’this will be done with every effort to take care of the poor and vulnerable.’’
El Rufai also urged all citizens who recently returned from travel overseas to please self-isolate for 14 days.
“Any symptoms of cough, fever or difficulty in breathing should be reported to the following numbers: 08025088304, 08032401473, 08035871662 and 08037808191,” he said.
The management of Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna has equally placed restrictions on a visit to the hospital, saying that, only one person will henceforth be allowed to accompany a patient to the hospital.
The chief medical director of the teaching hospital, Professor AbdulKadir Musa Tabari while briefing newsmen Monday afternoon said the hospital’s isolation unit has equipped to receive any suspected case.
PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet!
Professor Tabari also said that the hospital staff has been equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) such as sanitizer and face mask among others.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that as Nigeria's total confirmed cases of coronavirus surged to 36 on Monday, March 23, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) warned against sharing and spreading of fake news.
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better
Coronavirus: Are Nigerians really afraid of COVID-19? New survey reveals more - on Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
