By Ibrahim Abdul’ Aziz
Two Nigerian soldiers were reported to have tested positive for Coronavirus in Monguno, Borno State, just as the state governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, said that beginning from Tuesday, March 31, 2020, the state will be lockdowned to all public activities in order to curtail the spread of the virus.
Reports said that the affected soldiers, who returned to camp after they were issued administrative passes, have been quarantined at Sector 3 Mission Headquarters for observation since Saturday, March 28, 2020.
However, it was clear, at press time, if the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) had tallied the newly recorded cases to the number of confirmed cases in the country which currently stands at 139 with two deaths.
In the meantime, the state governor , Babagana Umara Zulum, in a statement issued by the Government House, in Maiduguri, said only vehicles transporting food items, medicine, fuel, and other humanitarian goods will be allowed to move in and out of the state.in order to save lives.
In the statement, the government said it has suspended the ongoing statewide verification exercise of Local Government Councils’ workers, and ordered workers from Grade Levels 01 to 12 to work from home.
The statement reads: “As from Tuesday, March 31, all banks operating in Maiduguri and organizations using biometric attendance equipment must provide hand washing stations and sanitisers at all operation points.
“Banks are to limit number of customers in banking halls to not more than 15 at a time and to activate all ATM points to be functional. Shops in organized business areas to provide hand washing stations and temperature monitoring devices as well as promote social distancing.
“All who default to these directives would risk closure. The restriction is hereby imposed on the number of passengers in public transport; not more than three passengers and the driver in a car, and not more than two passengers and the rider in a commercial tricycle called Keke NAPEP.
”Buses should also ensure that passengers do not exceed ten including the driver. All those at the risk of Covid-19 should provide necessary information to health workers and to avail themselves to the Ministry of Health staff for documentation and advice on self-isolation and care.”