COVID-19: Niger eases lockdown

The Niger state government has announced the easing of the lockdown imposed on the state over the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello announced this on Tuesday at end of a meeting with Covid-19 Task Force Committee held to review its activities.

• COVID-19: FG says Southeast not testing enough, speaks on school re-opening
• Niger State orders lock down over coronavirus

According to him, “the state has 48 cases as at today, one death while 26 cases have been discharged and reunited with their families. All confirmed cases are limited to 9 local government areas.

“After the review of our strategies, the following guidelines were agreed on. All measures earlier put in place shall be eased, nonetheless, there shall be enforcement of the compulsory use of face mask in public places and adherance to physical distancing.

“Henceforth, markets, banks and other places of business should be opened with strict adherence to all safety measures stated above. There shall be no more lock down days, hence, restriction of movement shall be from 10pm to 4am.

“The ban on interstate travels except for the movement of agriculture produce, Petroleum products, manufacture products and essential service will remain in place.

“All intra state lockdown should be eased and internal check points should be cancel.

“The ban of commercial motorcycles shall remain.

“Public motor parks must continue to abide by the measures issued by the ministry of transport for their operations,” Bello said.

The Governor however disclosed that the state government will support IBB University to establish a testing centre, while police and other security agents should arrest and prosecute anybody not wearing face mask in public places within the state.

He added that “We are redoubling our efforts to have a molecular testing centre at the general hospital Minna to increase our testing capacity.

“Our surveillance system is being enhanced to quickly detect the case of coronavirus including investigation, monitoring and management of positive cases.”

Bello however directed the state ministry of education to meet with all stakeholders in the education sector towards developing a workable strategies for the reopening schools.

“All civil servants are to remain at home except for those on essential services.

“As we strengthen our sensitization efforts to improve case search within our communities to mitigate against community transmission, I wish to call on our traditional leaders, clerics, market associations, transport unions, youth groups, NGOs, and others to deepen community outreach so that collectively we will contain this pandemic, ” he said.