Borno State government has adopted a number of preventive measures to contain coronavirus with effect from Tuesday 3Ist of March 2020
The 2 week interim measures which were announced by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum in a broadcast to the people of the State on Monday, include the following:
● All civil servants from Grade 12 downward directed not to report to their offices but rather stay and work at home; excepting those on essential services such as medical personnel, security agents and fire service personnel among others.
● All shops in organised business areas are to provide hand washing and temperature monitoring devices in their premises and also ensure social distancing. Otherwise their shops will be closed.
● All Banks operating in the state capital as we as organisations with Biometric attendance equipment, must provide hand washing stations and hand sanitizers for their customers in the banking hall to not more than 15 at a time and also ensure 24 – hour activation of all their ATM points;
● Restrictions is hereby imposed on the number of passengers in all types of public transport; thus three passengers and the driver in a car; two passengers and the rider in tricycle or lake NAPEP and ten passengers and the driver in buses;
● All passengers and vehicular movement into the state are also banned as from Tuesday 31st of March; except vehicles conveying food items, medical supplies, humanitarian goods and fuel supplies;
● The Biometric and data capturing exercise for Local Government staffs has been suspended for the next two weeks;
● All schools, whether public or private, have been closed until further notice.;
● People are advised to avoid unnecessary social gatherings
These measures , Prof Zulum said , are interim in nature and may be reviewed at the end of the two week period, depending on the prevailing circumstances at the time.
He explained that the review might take the form of complete closure of all markets and other commercial activities, except for essential food items and medicines, if the situation warrants.
Zulum reminded the people that they are currently going through another trying and difficult period in their history as a state, after the existential threat occasioned by the Boko Haram phenomenon and therefore enjoined them to endure the situation.
“My dear people of Borno state, as I have said, we have been through harrowing and excruciating times during the peak of Boko Haram insurgency. I am sure we will also endure the current situation. I therefore appeal to all citizens to remain calm and abide by all the instructions and guidelines given to you by health personnel in respect of the corona virus and more importantly intensify prayers in order to avert this deadly calamity”, he concludes.
