Borno governor extends COVID-19 lockdown by one week

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, Wednesday extended the state lockdown by one week.

Zulum, who announced the extension of the lockdown in a statewide broadcast, described it as a “painful, but necessary” decision.

He said: “It would have been better for a complete relaxation of the lockdown measures, if we had an effective vaccine or if the infection rate is declining by the day.

“The available statistics show an increase in coronavirus cases on a daily basis and cause mainly by community transmission. For now, social distancing and lockdown are the only veritable options to limit community transmission in the absence of any effective vaccine to fight the pandemic. The pandemic is real and we must face it.

“I have extended the lockdown measure by a week but directed tomorrow Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May as well as Monday, May 11, 2020, to open up for a period between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to enable petty business and markets to flourish so that families can access essential food items.

“We will review the situation next week Wednesday, May 13, 2020, and the COVID-19 Committee will announce the fundamental strategies to be observed and regulations to be followed in the fight against the pandemic, within the relaxation period.

READ ALSO: Buhari picks ex-IGP, Suleiman Abba to head Police Trust Fund

“However, the government will not hesitate to renew lockdown orders if the people are not willing to adhere to guidelines.”

The governor said to avert the spread of the virus through community transmission, his administration would ensure the ban on interstate travel and strict observance of all the hygienic practices such as the washing of hands, use of face masks and hand sanitisers as well as social distancing.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now