Adamawa extends lockdown by 14 days

Adamawa state government has ordered a lockdown of the entire state for an additional 14 days with effect from midnight on Friday, April 24.

The order was contained in a statement issued by Solomon Kumamgar, director-general, media and communications to the governor, on Friday in Yola.

According to the statement, Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of the state, said the lockdown would end at midnight on Friday, May 8.

“Painful as the decision is, it is the aftermath of the first COVID-19 index case recorded in the state,” it read.

“Adamawa government is therefore left with no option than to go for lockdown in the overall interest of saving lives by containing spread.

“Government has successfully commenced contacts tracing and testing which will be followed by isolation and treatment of positive cases.”

Fintiri appealed for the cooperation of the people of the state, insisting that in spite of the looming hardship, there was no alternative to the latest lockdown.

He said all movements and gatherings in whatever form are prohibited throughout the period, “except for those on essential duties such as security, media, health and water services, as well as 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,” he added.

He asked residents to embrace basic hygiene like regular hand washing with soap, and social distancing and the use of face masks.

He said the “executive lockdown order” would be backed by a mobile court to try and prosecute offenders.