Raymond Gukas, Jos
As the Plateau state government begins full implementation of strict measures put in place to contain the ravaging Corona virus disease COVID 19, the Muslim community in the state are not sure if the jumma’at prayer will hold today.
Though the governor, Simon Lalong had in a broadcast outlined that all religious activities would not be allowed to hold more than 50 congregation, that number, according to feelers, will not be possible in a mosque that over thousands of worshippers regularly participate on the Friday worshippers.
The state commissioner of information and communications, Dan Manjang in a statement, said the governor, who is also the Chairman for the implementation monitoring has ordered full implementation and defaulters should be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
According to the statement, “it has been observed that many citizens are yet to comply with the restriction
orders issued to prevent the outbreak of the disease in the State.
Therefore, the Governor as the Chairman of the Task Force on
Monitoring and Enforcement has directed that beginning from today, Friday 27th March 2020, security agencies will embark on full enforcement of the measures earlier outlined to deal with the Corona Virus Disease”
The commissioner further warned that “for the avoidance of doubt, the restriction order includes the
following measures amongst others, Closure of all markets (except those selling food items, pharmaceuticals and cooking gas), No congregation of more than 50 people at places of worship etc”
Also he maintained that the strict observance of 2- metres social distancing where up to 50 people
congregate, as well as provision of hygiene materials such as water, soap and sanitizers, Prohibition of street trading, street hawking, and begging, Ban on weekly Sunday markets at Ahmadu Bello Way, Bukuru and environs and Closure of all drinking joints, social centres and night clubs.
Also, Mandatory provision of take-away packs by restaurants to avoid crowding, Cancellation of all festivals and anniversaries as well as Strict adherence to 2-metres social distancing in motor parks and inside all transport vehicles and tricycles.
The measures also include “Capture of data of inbound and outbound passengers at all motor parks in Plateau State, Preliminary tests for Covid-19 at all land and air entry points into Plateau State, 14 days self-isolation for overseas returnees or those who know that they have had contact with any of the confirmed cases in the country. Avoidance of unnecessary movement and travels”.
Leave a Reply