The Kaduna State Government has called for collective action with citizens to curb the spread of COVID19 infections without having to resort to extraordinary measures like a lockdown.
The government believes that mass compliance with Covid-19 prevention protocols should suffice to reduce the rate of infections.
To this end the state government has ordered the closure of event centres, Night clubs, Gyms and Bars and Lounges until further notice while Restaurants are restricted to takeaway services only.
While hotels can remain open the state Government maintained that their restaurants and bars can only offer room service.
Also Supermarkets and providers of personal services such as hair dressing and barbing salons can remain open, but service providers and customers must use facemasks and limit crowds.
The measures which takes effect from 17th of December also include mandatory wearing of facemasks outside,prohibition on Large gatherings , Businesses must provide thermometers for temperature checks, and sanitisers or hand-washing equipment and physical distancing measures within all facilities.
“Places of worship must enforce facemasks, provide sanitisers and ensure physical distancing. The number of worshippers will be capped. Congregational worship should not exceed one hour.Transport operators must reduce capacity to not more than two passengers per row and not more than 50% of capacity”
The State Governor , Nasir El-Rufai said strict and collective compliance with the preventive measures can help stem the increase thereby averting a lockdown.
He however appealed for collective compliance with these measures to enable the state tackle the new wave of Covid-19 infections while allowing citizens to safely pursue their livelihoods.
During a media chat, the state government confirmed that the Covid-19 infection rates were averaging 30% of samples tested, and yielding about 100 new cases daily. If not stemmed, such infection rates will easily overrun all the isolation facilities and hospitals.
Responding to a question about the prospect of a lockdown, Malam Nasir El-Rufai said that the government is counting on the cooperation of citizens to make a lockdown unnecessary.
“Our immediate instinct is not to impose a lockdown, with all its dislocation, disruptions and challenge to the ability of people to pursue livelihoods.
“We are calling on all our citizens to join us to fight Covid-19 and save lives without having a lockdown. We think there are lots of simpler things citizens and businesses can do that can help reduce the spread of the disease.
“We are counting on the cooperation of our citizens, religious leaders, the business community, transporters and other stakeholders in a collective effort to stop Covid-19. We can do it by voluntary compliance.”
Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, who chairs the State Covid-19 Taskforce, said the preventive measures were agreed with various stakeholder groups including religious leaders, businesses, transporters and market unions prior to the easing of the first lockdown in June 2020.
Noting that the success of these measures will depend on the cooperation of all citizens and the degree of compliance with the protocols, the government appealed to all residents to see Covid-19 prevention as a vital personal responsibility and to act accordingly.
Muyiwa Adekeye media adviser to the Governor in a statement said the Covid-19 prevention measures were announced at a live media chat hosted by Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe.
The event also feature Commissioner of Health Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni, Commissioner of Education Dr. Shehu Usman Muhammad and the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology Idris Nyam.
