The Kaduna State Government has extended the lockdown which has become necessary because of the coronavirus pandemic, in the state by 30 days.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday signed by Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Earlier, the government had imposed compulsory quarantine on the state since March 26.
According to the statement, the extension decision was informed based on the recommendation of the State standing Committee on COVID-19 chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe.
The statement noted that the increasing cases of coronavirus in neighbouring states, especially Abuja, has called for stricter measures to be taken to forestall the spread of the pandemic.
The government stated that the lockdown extension kicks off Sunday, April 26, 2020, adding that the two days where restriction of movements was relaxed; Tuesdays and Wednesdays has been reduced to just a day; Wednesdays.
The statement reads, “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.
“All residents of Kaduna State are quarantined and must stay at home. No office, event centre, market, shop or business of any sort or place of worship is allowed to open.
“The only category of persons exempted are workers in essential services such as health workers, the fire service, water corporation, electricity distribution and security personnel. Tankers conveying fuel to petrol stations are also permitted to move.
“Businesses in the food and pharmaceutical value-chain are exempted and shall enjoy the protection accorded to other essential services.
“Schools, places of worship, event centres, sports grounds, bars, restaurants, public parks and all other places where large crowds could gather are to remain closed until further notice.”
According to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Kaduna has 10 of the 1182 total coronavirus confirmed cases in the country.
