The Governor of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai has extended the quarantine orders being enforced in the state for another 30 days.
The decision of the governor to extend the lockdown followed recommendation by the State Standing Committee on Covid-19, being chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media & Communications, Muyiwa Adekeye. the extension takes effect 26th April 2020.
The statement said: ” with Covid-19 cases rising rapidly in neighbouring states and the FCT, and with strong evidence of interstate travel being a major means of spreading the virus, the Standing Committee’s evaluation is that measures to protect Kaduna State residents require further strengthening and more vigorous enforcement.”
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai has endorsed this evaluation and has accordingly reviewed the Quarantine Orders to strengthen the provisions against unauthorised movements.
“The two-day window during which the restriction of movement is relaxed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays has been reduced to only one day.
“Henceforth, only Wednesdays will be lockdown-free, until the trajectory of COVID-19 infections becomes clearer.
“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.
“Government is making efforts to provide face masks for poor and vulnerable residents, and it appeals to everyone that can afford it to get their tailors to make them cloth face masks which they can wash after every use.
“The government also encourages tailors to produce face masks for sale to those that are neither poor nor vulnerable,” said the statement.