BREAKING: Kaduna Government Extends Lockdown By 30 Days

Kaduna State government has announced the extension of lockdown imposed in the state for another 30 days, effective from today Sunday April 26, as measures to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

This was conveyed in a statement signed by media aide to governor Nasir El-Rufai, Muyiwa Adekeye on Sunday.

Governor El-Rufai, who had announced a one month lockdown on Thursday March 26, said the extension followed the recommendation of the State Standing Committee on COVID-19 chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe. Adding that the increasing record of cases of the virus in neighbouring cities, especially Abuja, prompted the need for stiffer measures to be taken to halt the spread of the pandemic.

The governor also stressed that no visitor will be allowed in the state during the pandemic, adding that mobile courts have been empowered to try violators and impose the prescribed penalties, including fines, imprisonment and forfeiture of vehicles, upon conviction.

The statement partly reads: “All persons that venture out of their homes for whatever reason must wear facemasks and observe social distancing everywhere they go, in markets and in authorised vehicles.

“All residents of Kaduna State are quarantined and must stay at home. No office, event centre, market, shop or business of any sort or place of worship is allowed to open.

“The only category of persons exempted are workers in essential services such as health workers, the fire service, water corporation, electricity distribution and security personnel. Tankers conveying fuel to petrol stations are also permitted to move.

“Businesses in the food and pharmaceutical value-chain are exempted and shall enjoy the protection accorded to other essential services.

“Schools, places of worship, event centres, sports grounds, bars, restaurants, public parks and all other places where large crowds could gather are to remain closed until further notice.”