Kaduna Govt. Imposes Curfew Throughout The State To Curb The Spread Of COVID-19

"in exercise of the powers vested in the Governor by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria1999, (as amended), Sections 2 and 8 of the Quarantine Act 1926 and the Kaduna State Public Health Law of 1917.’’

‘’been declared a public health area, Coronavirus, otherwise known as Covid-19, is hereby declared as a dangerous, infectious disease within the meaning of the Quarantine Act.’  The Deputy Governor said that State Standing Committee on Covid-19 prevention met on Thursday to review global and national developments relating to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to her, ‘’the Committee also considered reports of unsatisfactory compliance levels with the preventive measures that have been outlined by the government in repeated announcements, and with increasing severity, over the past seven days.’’

Dr Balarabe further said that apart from flouting the directive against large gatherings, ‘’there were also reports of certain persons not obeying the ban announced on motorcycle taxis and ‘Keke-Napep ’tricycles.’’ Deputy Governor Balarabe warned that ‘’from midnight of Thursday, 26th March2020, all residents of Kaduna State must stay at home. No offices, businesses of any sort or places of worship are allowed to open.’’

‘’the only category of persons exempted are workers in essential services such as health workers, the fire service and security personnel.’’ Dr Balarabe warned that the curfew will be strictly enforced by the security agencies, adding that ‘’they have clear directives for the immediate arrest and prosecution of any person that violates these measures. ‘’

‘’Churches and mosques will be shut, there will no congregational prayers or services either within these places of worship or outdoors. ’Wedding events and all social gatherings are strictly prohibited while these emergency measures remain in place,’’

‘’As indicated in previous statements, the government is procuring food and other supplies, funded from its contingency budget, to mitigate the challenges of a lockdown for such persons. These items will be distributed in community clusters across urban local government areas in the state. This will be a grassroots exercise, as it is people drawn from the the target community that will constitute the committee to manage the distribution,’’