Coronavirus: Lokoja residents defy sit-at-home order

.Patronise markets, transport operators, others

While the government of Kogi State said it has commenced the enforcement of the sit-at-home directive aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 to the state, residents of Lokoja, the state capital, over the weekend, defied the order and went about their normal businesses.

Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, on Friday, stated that restriction directive is precautionary in view of the increasing rate of the pandemic across the country.

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“We urge our people to understand the decisions we have taken in the best interest of their wellbeing and to keep them safe from the ravaging pandemic,” spokesman of the Squadron Committee and Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, announced to the people of the state.

“The State Government is out to protect you from the fangs of the pandemic. Our containment strategy is not to entirely lock down the state, but to restrict movement and encourage people to stay at home as much as possible and to also observe the health protocols earlier published by the committee, ” Fanwo maintained.

The residents, however, complained that it will be suicidal to stay at home without food, while the anticipated disease will not come their ways.

“The Coronavirus is not for the common man, but for the rich who travel to Europe and other parts of the world,” a resident said.

Some residents claimed that remaining at home will be more dangerous than the dreaded Coronavirus as hunger will not spare them and their families, suggesting to the government to isolate and quarantine the privileged ones that might have travelled to the high risk countries or had contacts with the suspected victims.

The state government, however, insists that “COVID-19 is a global pandemic, therefore, there are global standards for managing it.

Commercial motorcycle operators, tricycle drivers and traders trooped to the streets on Saturday defying the regulations earlier spelt out by the government as part of the measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus.

Though the Lokoja International market was closed down, traders turned out and established street temporary markets just as they were happily patronised by their customers.

The Commissioner, said the committee has embarked on proper mobilisation of the people and warned against resorting to self-medication especially taking drugs that have not been validated or recommended by the appropriate regulatory authorities.

“The Kogi State COVID19 Squadron Committee is the Team set up by the State Government to work with NCDC on standards and management. We call on our citizens to route their contributions, either financial or material or even expertise through the Committee. By so doing, we shall be able to maintain the standards of resources given to our people. Our lines are always open,” Fanwo stated.