As part of swift efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID 19 (Coronavirus) disease, the Niger state Government directed the complete lockdown of the state for 24 Hours for the next two weeks starting from Easter Monday.
Making this known on Saturday, Governor Sani Bello told journalists after an extensive, emergency executive meeting at the government house Minna that the decision became necessary after the confirmation of one positive case of COVID-19 in the State.
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Governor Sani Bello said “the patient is a returnee from Lagos state and resides at Limawa community in Minna.”
He added that Limawa community will also be in isolation for the two weeks period with health workers engaged to sensitize members of the community within the period.
Accordingly, Governor Sani Bello said “all religious gatherings in churches and mosques have been suspended till further notice.
“We regret the earlier decision to relax the restriction order that was in place because people took it for granted without regard to social distancing and necessary hygienes.
“We are liaising with local tailors association in the state for the production of face masks in view of the scarcity of the items.”
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Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Mathias Echioda has said that, Christians can go to Churches on Sunday to mark the Easter Day but that there will be no service on Easter Monday.
According to Echioda “the total lockdown starts on Monday, the Easter Sunday service window is there for Christians but we must observe the precautionary measures of social distancing, use of sanitizers, soap and water.
“We must all abide by this directive because our primary goal is to save lives, we are not in conflict with the government. I appeal to Christians across the state to comply within this two weeks.”
Governor Sani Bello also said health workers would be engaged at strategic points with thermometers to carry out regular temperature tests.
The Governor, who said palliatives would be provided to the poorest in the society, warned politicians not to hijack the items by the time they are released.
Also, the state Ministry of Health has set up additional isolation centres to attend to cases that may come their way while the only confirmed case is already isolated and being taken care of.
Findings by our Correspondent have it that, Christians have largely prepared for the Easter celebration to use it as a day to pray to God for an end to the pandemic.
The Governor also maitained that the lockdown does not affect those on special duties and essential services especially those that carry food and pharmaceuticals as well as Vigilantes .
He stated that, in case of any casualty, only the NSTA vehicles will be available or deployed for emergency services as all parks are expected to remain closed.
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to Christians ‘You can go to Church on Sunday, not Monday’
By: Daniel Atori Okpole, Minna
