Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has imposed a 14 day lockdown in Adamawa State, just after the state confirmed its first case of Coronavirus.
Director General, Media and Communications, Government House Yola, Solomon Kumangar, made this known in a statement. Fintiri said the lockdown order will take off from midnight on Friday, April 24 to May 8.
He said;
’’Painful as the decision is, it is the aftermath of the First COVID-19 index case recorded in the State through a returnee from Kano.
‘’The Adamawa State Government is therefore left with no option than to go for lockdown in the overall interest of saving lives and to contain the spread.
‘’Government has successfully commenced contacts tracing and testing which will be followed by isolation and treatment of positive cases.’’
The Adamawa Governor also disclosed that movement and gatherings in whatever form are prohibited throughout the period, except for those on verifiable essential duty such as Security, Media, Health, and Water Board Personnel. Financial Institutions in the state will operate skeletal services.
The statement added;
“Except for those on essential duties such as security, media, health and water services, as well as while financial institutions like banks, that will operate skeletal services.
“Others in this category include; pharmaceuticals, and those selling food items only, as government will not allow the irresponsibility of a few to lead to the death of many.
“The ‘Executive lockdown order’ would be backed by a mobile court to try and prosecute offenders.”
Governor Fintiri called on the residents to embrace the rudiments of basic hygiene like regular hand washing with soap and sanitizers where obtainable, social distancing and use of face masks.