Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
Kogi State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello, has issued directives to guide the response of Government and citizens to the stark realities of the coronavirus outbreak:
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, announced that the governor directed that all entry points into Kogi State (land and waterways) be closed.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Lokoja, the Commissioner disclosed that all entry and transit by any vehicle should be subjected to health checks of all passengers.
To prevent avoidable delays, persons with any disease condition which may as well mimics CORVID-19 symptoms, including elevated temperatures, should have a medical report from a reputable hospital or medical practitioner explaining their condition before venturing through the state.
The earlier directive shutting down all educational institutions at all levels in the state, both public and private, from Monday, March 23, 2020 remains in effect until further notice.
The government also directs all Civil servants on Grade Level 1-13, except those on essential service are to remain at home and away from work till advised otherwise.
While all social, cultural and religious activities are suspended, essential activities should not have a crowd beyond 5 persons. “We solicit everyone’s prayers from the safety of their homes, ” the Commissioner stated.
As part of the measures to curb unnecessary contacts and movements,tricycle (keke) operators are directed to carry only one (1) passenger at a time and should provide hand sanitizers for use by their passengers, while busses are allowed to carry a maximum of 5 passengers at a time, seated apart in line with the social distancing guidelines.
For easy identification of persons who board vehicles, all transport companies, transport unions and terminal operators have been directed to keep a travel manifest for inbound and outbound passengers with their verified phone numbers.
They must also provide hand-wash stands with soap in the garages and hand sanitizers in the buses.
“Passengers are required to cooperate by washing their hands with soap and water and sanitize them before boarding. They are to be denied boarding if they fail to comply with the hygiene procedures.” Fanwo explained.
“All corporate organisations in the state must keep visitors registers as well as take the temperature checks of guests and visitors using a non-contact infra-red thermometer. Any guest with high temperature above 38 degrees Celsius must be reported immediately”, the government directs
“Wilful breach of these guidelines, the unjustified inflation of prices of any essential commodity and the making or spreading of fake news or hate speech during this period of trial will be regarded as sabotage and will be punished accordingly “, the Commissioner disclosed.
To further ensure strict compliance with the social distancing and to discourage people from to the public indiscriminatory, commercial motorcycle operations have been suspended with effect from Thursday 26th March, 2020.
The government therefore advised members of the public to report suspected cases of COVID-19 to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) .
The Commissioner therefore appealed to the general public to cooperate and ensure that these life-saving measures will benefit them and those who have to travel through our territory.
“Remember, COVID-19 is real. Stay at home and if you must venture out, observe social distancing protocols as advised by the appropriate authorities.”He advised.
