The Kaduna State Government says wearing of face masks will be enforced as a critical public health measure, to reduce the transmission of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
This is contained in a statement signed by Muyiwa Adekeye, the Senior Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communications, in Kaduna.
According to the statement, all persons who venture out of their homes for whatever reason must wear face masks and observe social distancing everywhere they go, in markets and in authorised vehicles.
It also stated that government was making efforts to provide face masks for the poor and vulnerable residents, and appealed to everyone who could afford it to get their tailors to make them cloth face masks, which they could wash after every use.
The government also encourages tailors to produce face masks for sale to those who are neither poor nor vulnerable.
The statement also said that Gov. Nasir El-Rufai had extended the quarantine orders being enforced in the state for another 30 days.
It mentioned that due to the rapidly rising cases of COVID-19 in neighbouring states and the FCT, the Standing Committee’s evaluation advised that there was a need to strengthen the enforcement of the lockdown order.
“The two-day window during which the restriction of movement was relaxed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays has been reduced to only one day in a week.
“Henceforth, only Wednesdays will be lockdown-free, until the trajectory of COVID-19 infections become clearer.”
The Quarantine Orders prescribe fines, imprisonment and forfeiture for violations.
The state government had clearly stated that no visitor was welcomed to the state while the COVID-19 pandemic was raging.
”Entry into or passage through Kaduna State is prohibited while the Quarantine Order remains in force.
“Persons seeking to come into the state will be denied entry. Such persons will be given the option of returning to their take-off points or entering isolation Centre for 14 days.”