Lalong asks Residents to Change their Lifestyles, Suspends Lockdown Indefinitely

By Our Reporter

Plateau State governor, Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong has asked people of the state to change their lifestyles and adapt to new reality of the existence of COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor in a state address on Thursday also lifted the lockdown until further notice.

Lalong noted that the decision to suspend the lockdown was arrived at after engagements with stakeholders which included CAN, JNI, Marketers and Traders Association, NURTW, Union of Tricycles Operators, Hotel, Recreational and Catering Services Association, Plateau State Traditional Council, NLC, TUC, NUJ, NBA, NMA, National Association of Nurses and Midwives and other professional Health Workers, PIDAN, NCWS and Plateau Youth Council among others.

The governor declared that:

“The Lockdown earlier imposed in the State from Sundays to Wednesdays is hereby lifted until further notice.

“The curfew imposed by the Federal Government from 10pm – 6am will continue to be observed until further directives are issued.

“There shall be no entry whatsoever, into public offices, banks, markets, stores, tricycles and vehicles without wearing facemasks. Violators of this order will be arrested and taken before the mobile courts.

“Cultural festivals, anniversaries and large-scale gatherings remain banned.

“Ban on commercial motorcycles will remain in force, except Dispatch Riders and other essential service operators.

“The ban on illegal Sunday markets on Ahmadu Bello Way, and Bukuru Metropolis remains in force.

“Churches and Mosques with large spaces shall be allowed to accommodate more than 50 worshippers under strict observance of the use of facemasks, social distancing, hand washing, use of infrared thermometers and use of sanitizers.

“While detail outlines on compliance shall be provided, let me emphasized that all public places like Markets, Shops, Hotels, Restaurants that fail to comply with the hygiene or sanitation regulations, social distancing as well as use of facemasks shall be penalized and where appropriate, bear any cost or penalty as would be specified.

“All public places like Markets, Shops, Hotels, and Restaurants that fail to comply with the hygiene or sanitation regulations, social distancing as well as use of facemasks shall be shut down and the owners prosecuted.

“The Head of Civil Service has been directed to work out modalities for the resumption of other category of civil servants who have been working from home.

“While the Lockdown is relaxed within the State, inter-state borders shall remain closed with greater enforcement.

“All Schools are to remain closed.

“As we ease the lockdown, citizens are strongly advised to participate in mass community testing which will be carried out in the State to avoid further spread of the virus.

According to the governor, Plateau State has so far tested 2,032 persons for COVID-19 out of which 130 were confirmed positive. Three deaths have been recorded with 26 persons still on admission and 99 discharged. There are 35 persons of interest at the state’s quarantine centres in Pankshin, Quaan-Pan, Heipang and Mangu.

The governor urged the people of the state to take responsibility and prevent further community transmission of the virus.

“At this point, I wish to remind all citizens that the responsibility for staying safe and avoiding COVID-19 infection or spreading it is now in the hands of each one of us. People must take charge of their health and act in a manner that guarantees the health of others.

“This is not the time to be careless or take the virus for granted. COVID-19 is still a highly infectious and deadly disease that may not go away soon.
It is therefore imperative for the people to change their life styles and adapt to the new reality.

Lalong appreciated the stakeholders for the contributions towards the state’s efforts to combat the pandemic.