Kwara govt orders total lockdown of state over COVID-19

Kwara State government on Thursday imposed a total lockdown on the state.

The directive which is aimed at checking the spread of coronavirus in Kwara State, according to the state deputy governor, Kayode Alabi, takes effect on Friday.

 The state government had on Tuesday ordered a lockdown of Offa local government area of the state

Kwara currently has two of the total 276 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.

Alabi, who addressed journalists at a media briefing in Ilorin, the state capital, said the total lockdown was necessary to flatten the curve of transmission in the state.

The restriction is expected to last for an initial period of 14 days.

The deputy governor, however, said commercial vehicles carrying food are exempted from the restriction.

He added that markets, where foods and medical products are sold would open thrice a week between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

He said: “The government hereby bans all vehicular movements, including private and commercial vehicles, from 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, Friday 10 April, 2020.

 “The only exceptions are commercial trucks carrying goods and services who would operate with absolute respect for social distancing and other COVID-19 safety protocols. All kinds of shops, bars, pubs, and markets are hereby shut until further notice. 

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“Markets where foods and medications are sold will open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. 

“Contractors working on government projects are allowed to proceed to work with no more than 20 workers on site at a time.”

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