Bauchi shuts markets to curb COVID-19 spread
The Bauchi state government has ordered for the closure of markets across the state in order to curtail the spread of the deadly coronavirus (COVID -19).
Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Baba Tela, who gave the order at the Government House on Wednesday, said that “all markets are hereby ordered to be closed except for those selling food items and medicines.”
Others not affected by the closure order according to the deputy governor are filling stations and bakeries.
“His Excellency Sen. Bala Abdukadir Mohammed, the executive governor of Bauchi state has directed that all markets throughout the state beginning from March 26 to close operations,” Sen. Tela, who is the chairman of the state outbreak response committee on Lassa fever and COVID-19, said.
The deputy governor explained that the order for the closure of markets is in line with the earlier decision of the state that restricted any gathering of people above 50 at a place to minimize social interaction to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Tela, who explained that out of the 28 blood samples taken, only one sample belonging to the state governor was found to be positive, however, added that the governor is not showing any symptoms and is doing well.
He said that the officials of the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have been advised to direct their members to observe the rules on passenger conveyance to not more than three persons per vehicle and to also provide hand sanitizers to their passengers and comply with the new policy of self-distancing.
The deputy governor assured the citizens of the state of government’s readiness and determination to strengthen the capacity of its medical personnel to deal with the situation, while calling on all citizens to support and provide useful information that will assist the response committee tackle the spread of the disease.
