Niger to quarantine any visitor from Kano for 14 days

Henceforth, any person from Kano state that steps into Niger state will be quarantined for 14 days, the state Governor, Abubakar Sanni -Bello, has directed.

To match words with action the governor directed the council chairmen of nine local government areas in the state to quarantine anyone that returns from Kano state for 14 days.

He expressed concern over the way traders and drivers have been going to Kano despite the situation in the state, saying that it has become necessary to quarantine anyone returning from Kano to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The governor who spoke during the flag-off of public wearing of face masks, said the local government areas involved include Tafa, Munya, Suleja, Paikoro, Bosso, Chachanga, Kontagora, Rafi and Mariga.

He declared that even the goods the traders will bring along with them should also be quarantined.

“The chairmen of Tafa, Munya, Suleja, Kontagora, Rafi, Paikoro, Bosso, Chachanga, Mariga should quarantine these traders and returnees from Kano for two weeks. Make provision for small hotels where you will place them on quarantine. Who knows, even the goods from Kano can also be contaminated.

“You have to be on the road from 3 pm to detain anyone who is coming from Kano. The case in Kano is very serious and we have to take it seriously to prevent the spread in the state,” he said.

The governor further accused security agencies of compromising the restriction of movement order, stressing that the security of all entry points into the state would be reinforced to ensure strict adherence to the lockdown directive.

“For the past two days, I went out very early in the morning and I saw a lot of cars coming from Kontagora that were going to Kano, not less than 30 cars and they were going to Kano.

“In this day and age where we have seen what is happening in Kano in these last few days, Kano should be a place where one should be avoiding.

“Sadly, I ask them if they know the situation on the ground in Kano and they said they did, and also if they know about the virus, they also said they did, but they still chose to leave Kontagora to Kano despite what is on the ground.

“The annoying part is that there are check-points where they are coming from, but they were not stopped. It seems the security agents are compromising the lockdown effort.

“They collect stipends and allow the people to pass. They should know that they are not immune to this virus and they are also endangering their lives,” the governor added.

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Bello stated that the restriction order in the state is still in force, stating that other categories of people have been added to those on essential duties.

“In addition to those on essential duties, food and water vendors, shops and supermarkets, pharmaceutical stores and farmers will be allowed to operate under strict adherence to physical distancing as well as hand washing and use of sanitizers,” disclosed.

According to him, this would reduce the difficulties faced by the public and work towards the gradual pick-up of economic activities in the state.