Lockdown has not been lifted, Kaduna warns residents

The Kaduna government has warned its residents to dismiss the rumour that the lockdown in the state has been lifted.

In a statement, Muyiwa Adekeye, special adviser on media to the governor, said a fake document in circulation claimed that the quarantine law has been reviewed and that the lockdown is now from 6pm to 6am.

“The Quarantine Order remains in force until Tuesday, 9 June 2020 when the two-week extension expires,” Adekeye said.

‘’Until then, the lockdown remains in force. The night-time curfew also remains in force, until the government announces otherwise.”

Adekeye added that Nasir el-Rufai, the governor, would address the state on Tuesday and will “specify the next steps for the state, which sectors will be permitted to open and the safety guidelines that each sector is expected to comply with before reopening”.

“No market, unauthorised business, school or place of worship will reopen until the government makes the required proclamation.’’

The government had on May 26 extended the lockdown in the state by two weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Hadiza Balarabe, deputy governor, had said the extension was intended to preserve the state’s ability to protect and empower citizens, lead the fight against COVID-19, make necessary adjustments to the partial lockdown and to permit the safe resumption of the pursuit of livelihoods in more sectors.

“Schools, places of worship and markets will remain closed under the adjusted orders, while relevant government officials and agencies will be engaging with religious leaders, transport unions, traditional institutions, market unions, school proprietors and other stakeholders, as may be identified from time to time, to discuss the conditions and circumstances for a safe reopening of the sectors, ” she had said.