Borno Govt Suspends COVID-19 Lockdown, Approves Religious Gathering

Borno state government has announced indefinite suspension of lockdown for COVID-19 in the state

The government also approve religious gathering in strict adherence with social distancing and use of facemasks.

Alh. Umar Usman Kadafur
Deputy Governor/Chairman, who osnalso COVID-19 Response Committee in the state disclosed this in a press statement on wednessday

According to him the state has record significant progress in the fight against COVID-19 over the last three weeks.

Read the details here

PRESS RELEASE BY THE BORNO STATE COVID-19 HIGH POWERED COMMITTEE

13th May, 2020.

The public is hereby informed that:

a. There has been significant progress in the fight against COVID-19 over the last three weeks.

b. That the stringent measures have yielded the desired results.

c. The committee wish to appreciate the immense support and cooperation it has enjoined from the public.

d. In furtherance of the efforts to contain and eradicate this deadly scourge, the high powered committee wishes to announce as follows:

1. The lockdown be suspended indefinitely to study the situation for the time being. However, where the situation escalates, government should revert to status quo.
2. The use of facemasks by the public be made mandatory and enforceable.
3. Government, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and opinion leaders should enforce social distancing, especially in public gatherings/worship
   places.
4. There should be restrictions on public gatherings, especially funeral processions/rights, weddings, naming ceremonies, etc to not more than 20 people.
5. Re-emphasize that all medical consultations by pharmacies and patent medicine stores that are related to COVID-19 or similar ailment shall be referred to government hospitals as defaulters of this direcive will be prosecuted.
6. On no account government hospitals should reject any patient whether because of COVID-19 or other ailments.
7. Government should study the Federal Governments’ agreement with health unions with a view to implementing it at the State level.
8. Henceforth, Jumma’at prayers and five daily prayers shall be observed in all mosques as recommended by the Borno State Council of Ulamas in strict adherence with social distancing and the use of facemasks.
9. All Churches shall conduct Church services as recommended by Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Borno Chapter in strict adherence with social distancing and use of facemasks.
10. The ban on the sales and consumption of liquor and other intoxicating substances is still enforced. Defauters will be dealt with severely in accordance with the liquor law.
11. All vehicles including tricycles (keke napep) must ensure the use of facemasks as defaulters will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

12 Appropriate measures be put in place to enforce restrictions at all entry and exit points across the state.

13. All drivers of exempted vehicles bringing in essential goods into Maiduguri will be subjected to COVID-19 test at the point of entry into the state.
14. The COVID-19 Pandemic Response Committee will continue to monitor the situation as they unfold and appropriate actions will be taken accordingly.
15. Civil servants of grade level 1-12 should continue to work from home except directed otherwise.
16. Government has considered the recommendation of the Borno State Council of Ulamas which clearly states that Eid prayers is Sunnah (non obligatory), hence there should be no Eid prayers. Faithfuls should remain at home during the period.

His Excellency,
Alh. Umar Usman Kadafur
Deputy Governor/Chairman, COVID-19 Response Committee, Borno State.