The Kaduna state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state until further notice in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
This was announced by the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, in a state-wide broadcast on Thursday.
She said that the curfew takes effect from midnight on Thursday, March 26, 2020. Balarabe added that all residents of Kaduna State must stay at home, adding that no offices, businesses of any sort of places of worship are allowed to open.’’
According to her, the decision was “in exercise of the powers vested on the Governor by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria1999, (as amended), Sections 2 and 8 of the Quarantine Act 1926 and the Kaduna State Public Health Law of 1917.’’
She added that the decision to impose curfew is due to the unsatisfactory compliance level to the ban on the commercial tricycle and motorcycle operators and restriction on large gatherings by large section the residents.
Balarabe lists those excluded from the curfew to include workers on essential services such as health workers, the fire service and security personnel.
The deputy governor noted that the state has, therefore “been declared a public health area, COVID-19, is hereby declared as a dangerous, infectious disease within the meaning of the Quarantine Act.”
Balarabe warned that the curfew will be strictly enforced by security agencies, adding that ‘’they have clear directives for the immediate arrest and prosecution of any person that violates these measures.”
She said ‘”Churches and Mosques will be shut; there will be no congregational prayers or services either within these places of worship or outdoors.
“Wedding events and all social gatherings are strictly prohibited while these emergency measures remain in place”.
