By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on Wednesday relaxed the lockdown by four days and extended it for another four days after the relaxation.
The Governor also said the earlier order before the total lockdown still remains.
It would be recalled that Chairman of COVID-19 and Governor of the state, Simon Lalong had last Monday while briefing journalists declared a total lockdown from 12 midnight Thursday 9th April to Wednesday 11pm 15th April 2020.
The State Government had also established 10 mobile courts meant to ensure enforcement and compliance to the aforementioned directive of Government, which it said was aimed at protecting the citizens from the Coronavirus Pandemic and also ensuring that the entire State is fumigated.
Lalong disclosed this during a statewide broadcast in Jos, the state capital.
He said, “From the one-week total, lockdown, we have learnt many lessons that will guide our next steps. One of the biggest lessons is the fact that we cannot quarantine hunger.
“Therefore, Government has taken the following decisions going forward.
According to him, “The total lockdown has been extended to 12 midnight of Thursday 23rd April 2020 to meet the medically stipulated quarantine period of 14 days.
“However, beginning from 11pm tonight, Wednesday 15th April 2020, to 12 midnight of Sunday 19th April 2020, the total lockdown will be relaxed to enable people go out to restock their homes.
“By implication, the earlier restriction prior to the total lockdown remain”, he explained.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all other markets remain closed except those selling food items, pharmaceuticals and cooking gas.
“In addition, all illegal street trading, street hawking, and begging are prohibited. The illegal Sunday markets on Ahmadu Bello Way, Bukuru and environs remain banned.
“Social joints, Nightclubs, drinking parlours are to remain closed, while restaurants are advised to prepare take away for their customers to avoid crowding”, he maintained.
The Governor also said, “Motor parks are to capture and keep data including contacts of all inbound and outbound passengers as well as adhere strictly to social distancing and mass gathering prohibition order as well as hygiene regulations.
Lalong also directed that,
“Vehicles (Keke Napep, Cars and Buses) are to abide by restriction on the number of passenger to carry, which have been spelled out as 1, 4 and 6 respectively”.
