COVID-19; Niger Gov. declares total lockdown for 2 weeks

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

Sequel to the discovery of one case of Coronavirus in Limawa area of Minna, the Niger state capital, Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has declared a total Lockdown of the state for two weeks beginning from today Monday.
Governor Bello further directed that Limawa community where the Coronavirus case was discovered be completely isolated from the rest of the public within the two weeks periods.
He stated that the lockdown of the state was arrived after a joint emergency meeting of the state Executive council with the COVID 19 TaskForce to review the situation and stop further spread of the Coronavirus.
He hinted that the two weeks Lockdown decision is subject to review if need arises, stressing that window have been created within the two weeks Lockdown to enable the people purchase some essential things like food, pointing out that “16, 20,23 and 27 of April have been set aside to enable people replace some essential things”.
The Governor warned that the three days window is not for social gathering or other any other gathering “but to allow people go out to buy food and some other essential things”.
He than appealed to the citizens to cooperate with the government as it struggle to contain further spread of the Coronavirus in the state, adding that as a responsible government “we will do everything humanly possible to stop the spread”.
Consequently the Governor directed that civil servants of grade level 1-12 who where earlier asked to resume work on Monday last week has again been asked to stay at home and possibly work from their homes till further notice.
“All religious gathering, including Friday Muslim prayers and Church services have been suspended. All inter and intra movement of vehicles has also been suspended”, the Governor added.
To cushion the effect of the restriction of movement of vehicles within and outside the state, the governor directed the state transport authority to make vehicles available in all the 25 local government council for emergency services.
He warned that violators of the restriction order will be made to face the law, adding that the ministry for justice have directed to set up a mobile court to try offenders.