Gombe State Governor Alh Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew from 6pm to 7am as measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus while tracing contacts of index cases in the state.
In a live broadcast yesterday, Gov Inuwa said that the curfew was to take effect from 6pm on Thursday.
According to the governor, the decision was taken after due consultation with relevant stakeholders after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has on Monday confirmed 5 cases in the state.
“I hereby issue an Executive Order imposing the following: that a dusk to dawn curfew across the entire State from 6pm to 7am with effect from 6pm of Thursday 23rd April, 2020 will be imposed.
He stated that all markets and businesses, congregational activities for social, cultural and religious purposes and Intra-state transportation from one LGA to another were suspended, adding “consequently, all motor parks across the State and Tsangaya schools across the State are hereby closed.”
The governor said essential services vital for the good governance of the state such as essential food and medical supplies were exempted from the order.”
Inuwa said the state government were mindful of the economic consequences that these measures are going to have, adding that his administration was committed to safeguarding lives and livelihoods of the people.
“ On our part, Government is putting up palliative measures to cushion the economic effects of Covid-19. In this regard, we shall set up a Palliative Committee under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness the Emir of Gombe.
“To oversee the organization and distribution of relief materials to the people during this period,” he said.
Yahaya said as part of efforts to prevent spread of the virus, the state government would embark on widespread environmental fumigation in order to sanitize and disinfect all high-risk public areas.
“I advise the public to adhere strongly to the use of face masks, regular hand washing with soap, use of hand sanitizer, social distancing and voluntary self-isolation” he concluded.