Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai has directed civil servants from Level 12 and below to remain at home for the next 30 days except for those providing essential services, especially in the health, security and emergency service sectors.
El-Rufai who expressed disappointment at what he described as the shocking level of complacency by residents who ignored the restriction directives also said markets which constitute a source of large gatherings will be locked down except for traders selling food and medicines who are permitted to open their shops, effective from Tuesday, 24th March 2020.
The governor in a state broadcast on emergency measures taken to protect residents from Covid-19 stressed that the 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.
“The Kaduna State Government has decided to move from advice to actual enforcement of its restrictions on large gatherings, especially in churches and mosques. 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,” he said.
He said the state government will not hesitate to impose a state wide curfew, should that become the only way to enforce compliance and make everyone understand the collective danger that is faced. “The emphasis on prevention is the only logical thing to do because our health system cannot cope with an outbreak of Covid-19. It is better to impose restrictions and save lives, than to be complacent and bury victims. Countries that have hesitated to impose extraordinary measures to contain coronavirus are now regretting. We have a chance to avoid such mistakes.”
The Governor advised that every trip should be postponed until this pandemic is curtailed adding that the state government has contacted the relevant federal authorities to stop the Abuja-Kaduna train service and thus limit the danger from contact on the train and influx from people who might have been exposed to infected persons. At a time of danger, non-essential travel is a dangerous luxury and there is no point pretending that we are in normal times.”
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