Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri May 6, 2020
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum; has extended the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown for seven more days. The maiden two-week lockdown; however; expired yesterday (Wednesday) for seven-day extension to commence May 7, 2020. Zulum in a statewide broadcast Wednesday at Government House, Maiduguri, he disclosed: “Life will be unbearable for most of our people under a total lockdown condition. “It would have been better for a complete relaxation of the lockdown measure; if we had an effective vaccine or if the coronavirus (COVID-19) infection rate is declining by the day.
“The available statistics shows an increase in coronavirus cases on a daily basis and cause mainly by community transmission.” According to him, social distancing and lockdowns are the only veritable options to limit community transmission in the absence of any effective vaccine to fight the pandemic. “The pandemic is real and we must face it,” declares Zulum in the broadcast. He noted that the total lockdown strategy is unrealistic and not feasible for the people, adding that; “but a measure of the strategy will be adopted as precautionary method to safeguard people lives against the deadly virus. While announcing extension of lockdown, he said: “I’ve extended the lockdown measure by a week but directed tomorrow Thursday 7th and Friday 8th as well as Monday 11th May, 2020 to open up from 8am to 5pm to enable petty businesses and markets to open,” noting that it will enable families access to essential food items.
He said the lockdown be reviewed on May 13, before the COVID-19 response team announced the fundamental strategies to be adopted in fighting the disease. Zulum warned that he will not hesitate to extend lockdown order, if the people are not willing to adhere to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines. He said to avert the dangers of community transmission, people should adhere to social distancing, hand washing, use of face masks and sanitizers and personal hygiene. He therefore, directed the COVID-19 response team to enforce the ban on inter-state travels and night journeys. “This is to stem the spread of the disease in Borno state,” he said.
