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Tag: Lockdown

  • Like Borno! Adamawa, Gombe states suspends lockdown, lift ban on religious activities

    Like Borno! Adamawa, Gombe states suspends lockdown, lift ban on religious activities

    Adamawa and Gombe States have joined Borno States among the northeastern states to Suspend the lockdown orders meant to tame the spread of Covid-19.

    Adamawa state governor Ahmadu Fintiri announced the suspension of the Lockdown in his state in a statement sent to TNG on Thursday evening.

    According to Fintiri, “….Churches, mosques and the international cattle markets under lockdown can now reopen, but must ensure social distancing with no more than fifty people at a time. Other measures include provision of hand sanitizers or washing of hands and temperature checks at the point of entry”

    He added that “….Government now believe s the contagion rate is low enough to justify a cautious easing of the restriction, but warned that citizens must work extra hard on personal hygiene and strict adherence to laid down guidelines….’

    For it’s part the Gombe State Government announced the suspension of lockdown in the state after a meeting with religious leaders in Gombe. Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, also in a statement said places of worship could be opened, only when members wear face masks, keep social and physical distance, as well as maintain regular hands washing and the use of hand sanitizers.

    Governor Yahaya said members of aid groups in mosques and the Boys Brigade in churches would be trained to ensure full compliance and the enforcement of the protective measures.

    He said face masks would be distributed across all worship centres, but urged people to make durable face masks for themselves, so that they could rewash and reuse.

    The Gombe State Governor also said, “whenever the commodities were supplied to the state, the places of worship would be given their own share”.

    He, however, warned that any violation of the measures would force him to reverse the decision to ease the lockdown, because “he would not afford to compromise the health of the people of the state”.

    The Governor cited examples in some parts of the world, where such ease was introduced, only to escalate the rate of infections in those countries.

    He called on the religious leaders to ensure that the conditions agreed on by both religions in the state were adhered to.

  • Religious activities resume in Borno as Zulum suspends lockdown

    Religious activities are to resume from today Thursday May 14 in Borno State but with strict adherence to social distance. This is in response to the suspension of the anti-COVID-19 lockdown by the Borno state government on Wednesday.

    The state government said it is suspending the lockdown order indefinitely. Use of face masks must also be adhere to strictly the state government said.

    NCDC confirms 18 cases in Borno, 9 in Katsina as COVID-19 spreads to Imo
    184 new cases of Covid-19 raise Nigeria’s total to near 5,000. In
    a statement issued by the Deputy Governor and Chairman Task Force Committee on COVID19, Hon. Umar Kadafur, in Maiduguri on Wednesday, said significant progress has been recorded in the last three weeks against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    He charged religious, community and opinion leaders to enforce all the measures, warning that defaulters would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly

  • We are officially COVID-19 free, Mauritius declares as lockdown continues

    We are officially COVID-19 free, Mauritius declares as lockdown continues

    Mauritius has become coronavirus-free with no active case for 15 days, the country’s ministry of health has said.

    The Indian Ocean island nation recorded 332 coronavirus cases, 322 recoveries, and 10 deaths. While all 220 recently repatriated citizens from abroad were still under quarantine.

    In Africa, Mauritius becomes the first country on the continent to become virus free, while Lesotho is the only country on the continent not to have recorded a case of COVID-19.

    With a population of 1.2 million people, Mauritius is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs.

    May 11 marked the fifteenth consecutive day that the no new case was recorded in the country. A lockdown however remains in place to contain possible spread of the virus.

    Mauritius is the second Africa country to have declared virus-free status after infection. Mauritania weeks ago reported full recoveries (6 recoveries and a death at the time), another infection was subsequently recorded.

    The coronavirus is an ongoing global pandemic which has infected over four million people across the globe, and killed over two hundred thousand.

    The virus has touched every continent, with US being the worst hit. The North American country has recorded over 1.3 million cases alone.

  • COVID-19: Kano extends lockdown by one week

    COVID-19: Kano extends lockdown by one week

    Kano state government has extended the lockdown in the state by a week to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the state.
    The Commissioner for Information in the state, Malam Muhammed Garba made this known in a statement issued on behalf of the government late Monday.
    It said the action became imperative after due consultations with Federal government and key stakeholders in the health sector.

    Government said the measure was aimed at further reducing person-to-person contacts, considered as one of the major ways the disease was being spread.

    It acknowledged the consequences of the measure on the public, but called for patience and support as the battle against the pandemic continued.

    It further called on the public to continue observing strict personal hygiene measures through regular hand washing, use of face masks and social distancing.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kano has 666 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 571 active and 32 deaths.
    As per the update of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the state had discharged 63 persons as at 11:45pm of May 11, 2020.
    A week ago, the state relaxed the lockdown order by allowing residents to move freely on Mondays and Thursdays, from 10pm to 4pm every week.

    The aim of the relaxation was to allow people make some shopping to cope with the Ramadan period amidst the lockdown.

  • French lockdown ends after 54 days

    French lockdown ends after 54 days

    France’s strict 54-day coronavirus lockdown was officially over on Monday, however many restrictions were due to remain in place.

    French people will now be able to leave their homes without carrying a signed declaration as to why they are on the streets and most shops and other workplaces are set to reopen.

    However, in a country with one of Europe’s highest COVID-19 death tolls, 26,380 as of Sunday, authorities are anxious to keep social mingling to a minimum for the moment.

    “Anyone who can continue to work from home should still do so.

    “Cafes and restaurants will remain shuttered for the moment,” the government said.

    The government also said primary schools would reopen gradually starting this week, with middle schools reopening the week after only in areas less affected by COVID-19.

    It said signed declarations would still be required for anyone taking public transport at peak hours in the greater Paris region, with usage reserved for commuters and those on essential trips.

    The government said masks would be required on public transport nationwide, and travel restrictions remained between mainland France, the Mediterranean island of Corsica, and overseas territories.

    It said in Paris and north-eastern France, categorised as “red zones” with a higher rate of COVID-19 infections or hospitalisations, public parks would remain closed.

  • COVID-19: Wike announces temporary suspension of lockdown in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor LGAs

    COVID-19: Wike announces temporary suspension of lockdown in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor LGAs

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has announced the temporary lifting of the total lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas for two days only, with effect from Tuesday 12th May 2020.

    Governor Wike made the announcement in a State-Wide broadcast last night. He said that the total lockdown will be lifted on Tuesday 12th May, 2020 and Wednesday, 13th May, 2020.

    Governor Wike said the temporary lifting of the lockdown is for residents to restock foodstuffs and medicines to their homes.

    Governor Wike said that the lockdown will be reinstated on Thursday, 14th May, 2020.

    He said: “Consequently, we have given due consideration to the propositions on the way forward by well-meaning citizens of the State, and after a cautious review of the situation, decided to implement a partial relaxation of the lockdown measures, to enable residents to have some fresh air and replenish their foodstuffs and medicines.

    “To this end, I hereby announce the temporary lifting of the total lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Governments Areas for two days only, with effect from Tuesday 12th May 2020.

    All shops, supermarkets, and malls can open to the public for Tuesday and Wednesday, 12 and 13 May 2020.

    “Similarly, all hospitals and banks can also open and provide full services to the public.

    “While oil and gas companies are required to submit the list of their staff on essential duties to Government, note that there is no ban on the lifting of petroleum products from depots and other receptacles.

    “The total lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas will be reinstated on Thursday 14th May 2020 and remain until further notice.”

    Governor Wike said all other established restrictions under the Executive Orders on social distancing are still in force.

    He said: “Compulsory wearing of face mask or scarfs in vehicles and public places; Closure of all land, sea and air borders and entry routes into the State; and Closure of all open markets, including slaughters, hotels, guest houses, cinemas, bars and restaurants; and Ban on gathering, including public burials, weddings, and religious gathering of more than 50 persons. Once again, thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

    “Please note that our enemy is invisible. Stay at home, maintain social distancing, wash your hands regularly and stay safe.

    He said every measure the State Government has imposed was dictated by an assessment of the state’s situation, the trend of transmission and the conviction that it was the right thing to do in the circumstance.

    “As a Government, we are doing our utmost best, in the face of daunting challenges, to prevent COVID-19 from taking hold in Rivers State; to stop any possible community transmission of this disease before it is too late.

    “And we shall continue on this trajectory because the alternative would spell a greater disaster for our State and our people.

    “More so, when these are not arbitrary measures but fully prescribed and backed by the ordinary laws of our State, especially, Executive Orders numbers: 1 to 6.

    “So far, all our measures and actions are not arbitrary but fully prescribed, guided and backed by the ordinary laws of our State, especially Executive Order numbers 1 to 6, which apply equally to all persons throughout the State. As a Government, we are obliged to enforce our laws, and in the present circumstance, we have done so without fear or favour,” he said.

    He added: “We equally made it loud and clear that in the fight against COVI/D-19 there would be no sacred cows; no double standards, and no sentiments of any kind, whether political, ethnic, religious, status, emotional or otherwise.

    “In the last few days we have pursued with vigour and secured several convictions against those who intentional violated our COVID-19 containment laws in the same way others States are doing.

    “The forfeited trucks to be auctioned by the Deputy Sherriff were not confiscated arbitrarily by the State Government, but by the orders of our Courts.

    Governor Wike stated that the demolition of the two hotels in Eleme was done in line with extant laws.

    He said: “Similarly, we acted against the hotelier because, apart from using the facility to jeopardize the lives of our citizens in violation of the extant law, the owner audaciously unleashed thugs lead by the Eleme Local Government Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party and inflicted severe injuries on our task-force members who went to enforce the law against the continued operation of the hotel.

    “As we speak, nobody knows the fate of the lives of most of the victims of that brazen and deadly attack given the severity of the head injuries they sustained.

    “And so, we’ve done no wrong as all our actions were taken in good faith and justified by, under and within the purview of the Executive Orders, which have neither been challenged nor set aside by any competent court of law.

    The Governor said he remains focused on protecting Rivers people.

    He said: “Therefore, while we welcome genuine criticisms directed towards strengthening our intervention measures; it is no use joining issues with uninformed critics and social media legal practitioners who, blinded and prodded by sheer politics, bias and hatred, have opted to demonized and paint our lawful and responsible actions in bad light.

    “Granted that we may not have totally achieved our targets, but we are convinced that, so far, the lockdown and the other measures have impacted greatly in containing and preventing the onslaught of the pandemic on Rivers State.

    “We therefore thank the entire people of Rivers State for the overwhelming understanding you have shown even as you continue to endure the pains of the restrictions on your wellbeing and fundamental freedoms.”

  • Lockdown: Gov Wike watches as excavator razes hotels in Eleme, Onne [PHOTOS]

    Lockdown: Gov Wike watches as excavator razes hotels in Eleme, Onne [PHOTOS]

    Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Sunday monitored the demolition of Prodest Hotel, Alode, Eleme, in line with Rivers State Government Executive Order 6, which banned the operation of hotels across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Rivers State Government also demolished Etemeteh Hotel, Onne on Sunday, with Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, in a statement, saying both hotels flouted the Rivers State Government Executive Order 6.

    “Government has no alternative but to apply the Executive order which I signed before the lockdown of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt. I called all the Traditional Rulers and Council Chairmen and told them to ensure that no hotel operates in the State. We are not saying it will be forever. This is for now, so that we know where we are. To reduce the cases and check the spread.

    “Whether you are PDP or not, all we are saying is that nobody is above the law. If we can do this to a PDP person, then you know we are not discriminatory. Everyone must obey. Whether you are in PDP , SDP or no party, you must obey the law. If any other person does the same thing, the same rule will apply,” the statement quoted Governor Wike to have said.

    Governor Wike reiterated his declaration that no hotel should operate anywhere in the state.

    “We said no hotel should operate within this period. Unfortunately, the PDP Youth Leader in Eleme joined others to flout the Executive Order. Therefore, the executive order will be applied.

    “We said if any hotel operates, Government will bring down that hotel. We are doing what we have told people that we are going to do.

    “Nobody wants to obey any rules. We are saying just for now, keep off, let us see how we can keep our people safe”, he said.

    The Governor said that the focus on hotels is due to the fact that one of the cases in the state spread the virus from a hotel.

    He said: “Look at the rate of infections, most of these people are found in hotels. Look at the man that died, he was at Mingi Hotel in Rumumasi. Due to that contact, we have had other seven cases.

    “People should help us and support Government for Rivers people to be safe. Security Council will meet to review the strategies and achievements or setbacks, moving forward.

    “All we are doing is to protect our people. Some people may not like our strategies, but our objective is to achieve results. ”

    He assured that the State Government will always continue to protect the people. He said the fight against the spread of coronavirus is serious, that is why he is leading it personally.

    “People talk about hunger. But it is only a living person that can discuss hunger. We will continue to work to protect our people.

    “What we are doing is to tell the people that the State Government is serious. This being led by me, people should know that the State Government is determined to ensure that we defeat coronavirus,” he said.

    He said those involved in the crime will be prosecuted. He said that the Managing Director of the hotel at Onne has been arrested.

    See photos below:

  • [Video]Northerners disguising as pressmen caught in Anambra state

    [Video]Northerners disguising as pressmen caught in Anambra state

    Some northerners who pretended to be pressmen were caught in Onitsha Anambra state today, around 3 a.m. in the morning. in a video that surfaced, the security personnel who intercepted the vehicle ordered them to turn around.

  • COVID-19: Labour minister speaks against impending total lockdown in Nigeria

    COVID-19: Labour minister speaks against impending total lockdown in Nigeria

    The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo has aired his personal opinion, speaking against any plan to further place the country on total lockdown as a measure to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Festus Keyamo took to his official Twitter handle on Sunday to say another total lockdown would be counterproductive, stressing that before defeating the Coronavirus, “we must learn to live with it”.

    Recall that following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria, the federal government has taken several measures to curtail it, including ordering restriction on movement, leading to a total lockdown of the nation.

    Recently, the total lockdown was eased with certain guidelines that must be strictly adhered to. But for the flouting of the guidelines, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTFCOVID19) has threatened to re-order a total lockdown.

    However, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment believes that another total lockdown will not do the country any good.

    “My personal view is that another total lockdown would be counterproductive. Before defeating the virus, we must learn to live with it all around us & practice the skills of avoiding it like a landmine. Practice makes perfect. We cannot perfect those skills by locking ourselves up,” he said.

    Earlier, Festus Keyamo had urged all workers to take charge of their environments and not assume that others take precautions against the virus.

    “Do not assume others have taken the necessary precautions. Do it yourself. The virus is not defeated. Every object, every surface is a suspect. Just imagine the virus is everywhere,” Keyamo charged.

  • COVID-19: I will lockdown Lagos if you continue to violate social distancing – Sanwo-Olu warns Lagosians

    COVID-19: I will lockdown Lagos if you continue to violate social distancing – Sanwo-Olu warns Lagosians

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday threatened to lockdown Lagos again if Lagosians continue to violate the social distancing order.

    The governor expressed displeasure that some Lagosians, especially those in the transportation sector did not obey the social distancing order in totality.

    The governor, while giving update on the Coronavirus situation in the state, said on the first day of this new phase of an eased lockdown, the compliance level for commercial transport sector operations was regrettably very low.

    “Yellow Buses especially, failed to comply with the capacity restrictions outlined in our framework. While compliance has improved in subsequent days, it is still not encouraging. Many commercial motorcycle operators openly and indiscriminately defied the suspension.

    “The ban on Inter-state travel except for essential goods and services was also consistently flouted. In many cases people decided to make the final leg of the journey into the State on foot, to beat the restrictions.

    “Trucks and other vehicles carrying items designated as essential, have also played major roles in flouting the guidelines, by conspiring to conceal and smuggle people in and out of the State,” he said.

    According to Sanwo-Olu, the reports about mask usage in public places had also not been encouraging as many people were still choosing to go out without masks or face coverings of any kind, saying this was simply unacceptable.

    “Let me reiterate that the success of this gradual easing of the lockdown is dependent upon the compliance of each and every one of us.

    “As a Government, elected to uphold the security of Lagos State – and this includes health security – let me make it clear that we will not hesitate to review the terms of this easing if we continue to see evidence that Lagosians are determined to flout the rules.

    “I am aware that the Presidential Task Force has also made this point; that the continued maintenance of this easing is only guaranteed when people consistently comply.

    “Let the numbers we have seen this week stand as a warning to all of you the good people of Lagos State. What we are seeing is child’s play compared to what we could be seeing if we continue to be irresponsible,” he warned.

    However, Sanwo-Olu, said five days into this gradual easing, “we can look back and pronounce a verdict on the general levels of compliance in major sectors of our economy.

    “Let me start with the encouraging news. We have seen our manufacturing and construction companies gradually ease back into operation. We are happy with the level of compliance in this sector, as well as the beneficial impact of this limited resumption on our economy.

    “In the case of our intra-state commuting, and particularly with our BRT and LBSL Buses, and water transport operations, substantial compliance with the carriage policy of no more than 60 percent of maximum capacity was recorded. Markets and Mechanic Villages also demonstrated significant compliance.

    “In terms of open markets and stores, our directive was that food and farm produce markets will open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while markets dealing in other items will open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We have seen high levels of compliance in this regard, as well as in the maintenance of physical distancing and the use of face masks in the markets,” he said.