Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong has closed markets and banned congregation of more than 50 people in the state, effective from Wednesday.
The governor in a statewide broadcast, Tuesday evening, said all public servants from grade levels 12 and below are to work from home for the next 30 days.
He said: “Only workers offering essential services such as security, health, media, street cleaners and water supply and energy are exempted from this directive.”
“In view of the crowds associated with markets, government is directing all markets to close effective 25th March, 2020.
“Only traders selling food items, pharmaceuticals and cooking gas are to remain open. In addition, all street trading, street hawking, and begging are prohibited. The weekly Sunday markets at Ahmadu Bello Way, Bukuru and environs are hereby banned.”
He said social joints, nightclubs; drinking parlours are to also close effective Wednesday 25th March, 2020, while restaurants are advised to prepare take away for their customers to avoid crowding.
“Motor parks are to capture and keep data including contacts of all inbound and outbound passengers as well as adhere strictly to social distancing and mass gathering prohibition order as well as hygiene regulations.
“Henceforth, all entry points into Plateau state by land and air will be subjected to preliminary tests.
“The weekly State Executive Council meetings are hereby suspended indefinitely. However, council will continue to consult and meet through digital means.
“I have directed security agencies to begin enforcement and anyone found violating these orders should be arrested. Should the situation continue this way, we shall not hesitate to impose a complete lockdown in order to save the lives of our people.”
