COVID-19: Gov Zulum Extends Lockdown to One Week, Relaxes Thursday, Friday and Monday....Commends Compliance, Pledges Improved Facilities, Provision of Drugs and Vaccines

By Sadiq Abubakar, The Nigerian Voice, Maiduguri

Govenror Babagama Umara Zulum of Borno state has extended the lockdown in th state with one week but relaxed tomorrow Thursday, 7th May 2020, Friday, 8th May 2020 and Monday, 11th May 2020 to allow businesses to open up to flourish and enable families or people access essential food items.

He added that the High Powered Response Committee on COVID-19 will announce the fundamental strategies to be observed and regulations to be followed within the relaxed period.

Zulum who this Wednesday night in a state broadcast and added that ","government will not hesitate to renew the lockdown order if the population are not willing to adhere to the guidlines of the lockdown order that the Committee will spell out."

"This worst situation requires supreme sacrifices and endurance as well as solidarity to survive this onslaught of an invisible enemy", Zulum said.

" The last four weeks has been a great period for us in th state. We lost our great leaders, scholars and illustrous son, elder stateamen like HRH the Shehu of Bama, former Governor Mohammed Goni, Modu Sheriff Galadima of Dikwa, Honourable Modu Wakil and Jauro House members, Notable clerics like Goni Modu Kilo, Goni' Habib and Kabiru among few others

"We received Condolences and visits from far and near.. May Allah in his Infinite mercy give their families and relations the fortitude to bear the irreparable Loss we appreciate their solidarity and concern in this trying time. It has not been easy to find ourselves under the lockdown order with strenuous heat and for most of us fasting, in the month of Ramadan.

"It was not easy for us fasting in the month of Ramadan to stay at home under the lockdown. It could have been very easy for us under the lockdown if we have vaccines and drugs to fight the pandemic. The pandemic is real and we must face a measure of strategy that will be adopted.

"We must embark on washing our hands, ensure social distancing as the only option and maintain personal hygiene." Zulum said.

According to him, he has given directive for those trapped at the entry to be allowed to come into the city while Motorists must maintain and ensure the social.distancing and be warned not to frustrate the life of the people to hike fares.

Zulum added that governement will equip Isoalation centers and supply drugs as well as ensure measures are taken for the safety of the people.

He also said that his Governemnts will look inward to improve the agricultural development of the through human Capacity development.

The govenror has further given directives to the covid-19 committee to provide data base for all the almajiri schools and tsangayas and for all the Tsangaya schools to take necessary precautionary measure against the disease while calling on religions lreaders to join people and government in special prayers for the pandemuc, safety and health of the people.

He noted that the lockdown measures will be reviewed next week, Wednesday, 13 th May 2020 to enable the people have access to their daily work of life including farming but people must follow the rules and guidelines to be spelt out by the COVID-19 Response Committee while Palliatives will still be distributed to the poor and less privileged .