Borno enforces use of face masks in markets as 17 test negative for COVID-19

The Borno government has enforced the use of face masks in all the markets across the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Maiduguri on Saturday, Salisu Kwayabura, Borno commissioner of health and secretary of the state’s task force, said the administration is taking steps to ensure there is “strict” adherence to social distancing at the markets.

“The response team plans to make face masks available at market entry points alongside hand sanitisers to be applied by shoppers at entry and exit points at major markets,” he said.

Kwayabura said the lockdown would be relaxed on Monday and Thursday for residents to stock up on food and other supplies.

The commissioner said 17 people who made contact with the state’s index case have been tested and their results came back negative.

“The initial figure was 35 but only 17 met the criterion of the test,” he said.

He said the death recorded on Thursday in the state brings the tally of those who have died from COVID-19 to three, leaving 12 patients in two isolation centres.

“There is no question about the fact that there are 15 cases in Borno and of them, 7 patients are receiving medical attention at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and 5 patients are at Brigadier General Abba Kyari Isolation centre, managed by the state government, also in Maiduguri,” the commissioner said.

“Remaining three cases are the deaths recorded.”

Tijjani Abubakar, commissioner of transport, said the team would engage the leadership of various markets to ensure that social distancing guidelines are followed.