Ishaku approves review of COVID-19 lockdown guidelines

Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba state has approved new guidelines for the lockdown imposed by the federal government in containing the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor has ordered a week-long lifting of the ban on the restriction of movement, by allowing for free human and vehicular movements within the state.

Gov. Ishaku, who spoke through a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Mijinyawa at Government House, Jalingo, disclosed that the order was because of the period given by the State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC) for political parties in the state to conduct their party primaries for the forthcoming local government council elections.

The governor said movements will be allowed throughout this week to enable people travelling long distances before and after the elections to get to their destinations without hindrance.

Ishaku, who reiterated that the ban on inter-state travel is still in force, disclosed that security agencies were under strict instruction to arrest and prosecute violators, adding that the only exemptions are workers on essential duties.

“I am happy with the level of compliance by the people so far with measures taken by government to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

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“I enjoin the people to remain vigilant because it is not yet over even though Taraba state presently has no active case of the infection. The rest of the country, including states with which Taraba state shares borders, are still being ravaged by the pandemic,” he said.

The governor also assured that Taraba state will never be caught off guard by the pandemic because the government is fully prepared with all necessary infrastructure activated and health workers mobilized as part of proactive steps against further outbreak of the disease.

He called on the people to continue to play their role by observing all prevention protocols including social distancing, wearing of face masks, washing of hands regularly, use of hand sanitizers and staying away from large crowds.

The governor urged Christians and Muslims in the state who have now been permitted to resume their normal religious gatherings to do so with decorum and in strict observance of all the preventive measures.

He appealed to them to continue in their prayers for Taraba state and Nigeria, saying efforts are being made to contain the pandemic in the country.