*Schools, markets remain closed
*Mosques, Churches to run only Juma’at, Sunday services
Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has announced the
opening of Kaduna state, after 75 days of partial lockdown.
In a state broadcast, on Tuesday, el-Rufai paid tribute to the
good people of Kaduna State, for their immense sacrifices in the
last two and half months as containment measures against COVID-19
were implemented.
The governor said that as from Wednesday, 10 June 2020, the
Quarantine Order will be amended to permit a significant reopening
of the state, especially businesses and places of worships.
El-Rufai, however, said that schools and markets will remain
closed because, at this stage of COVID-19 containment, it is still
considered unsafe for markets and schools to reopen.
He promised that the government will “keep engaging with the
relevant stakeholders on the matter, to determine the appropriate
timing and conditions precedent.
“Businesses can reopen, subject to the provision of thermometers
for temperature checks, sanitisers or handwashing equipment and
physical distancing measures within all facilities. Working hours
will be 9 am to 3 pm daily,” he said.
The governor further said that “church services are allowed only
on Sundays and Mosques are allowed to conduct only Friday Jumat
services, for the time being, subject to compliance with the safety
stipulations above.”
El-Rufai maintained that transport operators must reduce
capacity to not more than two passengers per row and not more than
50 per cent of capacity.
The governor said that the ban on intra-state travel has been
lifted but government officials will continue to control state
boundaries to reduce unauthorised interstate travel.
“Within the state, security checkpoints will be allowed only to
enforce compliance with the night-time curfew. During the day, any
violations of the adjusted Quarantine Order like failure to wear
facemasks etc. will be enforced by Operation Yaki, KASTLEA, the
Vigilance Service and our Mobile Courts,” he said.
According to him, “supermarkets and providers of personal
services such as hairdressing and barbing salons can reopen; hotels
can fully open, but with their restaurants and bars offering only
room service.”
The governor warned that restaurants may all reopen after
decontamination, but are still restricted to takeaway services,
adding that “Public servants will be summoned back to work in
phases to be announced by the Head of Service.”
El-Rufai counselled that after the opening up of the state, “the
next step of staying safe while pursuing socio-economic activities
is strictly in the hands of each individual.
“While we require individual citizens to practice personal
responsibility, the places where they work, worship or shop and the
vehicles in which they travel must also protect their health and
safety,” he clarified.
The governor pointed out that “this requires that all sectors of
society understand and discharge their responsibility for safe
reopening, including the specific steps they are required to
take.”
According to him, government officials embarked on series of
sensitisation and consultations with stakeholders in the last two
weeks as part of conditions for reopening the various sectors, in
order to promote this wide understanding.
The governor said that government officials submitted the draft
guidelines for debate at those meetings and “we have considered the
contributions, suggestions and feedback received from the
stakeholders in concluding the detailed re-opening protocols being
published for each sector.”
El-Rufai warned that “any facility or sector that generally
violates the guidelines will be closed down under the Quarantine
Order No 2 of June 2020 that I will sign today for immediate
gazetting.”
While urging citizens to take responsibility and comply with
these measures, he further warned that “this relaxation will be
reversed in the event of a spike in COVID-19 infections or
unsatisfactory compliance levels with the conditions, and total
quarantine re-imposed to preserve health and protect lives.”
El Rufai appealed to people who are 50 years and above restrict
their movement, in spite of the fact that restriction of movement
has been lifted in the Kaduna state.
“As we open up, we advise older people to stay home as much as
possible and avoid condolence visits and attending congregational
prayers. Older people above 50 years should avoid receiving
visitors.
“If you must receive, please wear a facemask and stay two meters
apart from your visitors. Younger people that may be infected but
showing no signs of the disease can easily infect older people,” he
counselled.
The governor promised that his administration “will continue to
implement the policy of repatriating almajirai back to their
parents to afford them due care and the right to free
education.”
According to him, “this is is an important step in complying
with our state’s Child Welfare and Protection Law. We do not regard
modern education and quranic education as mutually exclusive. A
child can get both without being abandoned b their parents, leading
to child abuse, mistreatment and an uncertain future.”
El Rufai pleaded with residents of Kaduna State to commit to
taking personal responsibility.
“Let us honour the sacrifices that have been made to ensure that
this opening up supports the pursuit of livelihoods without risking
widespread infection, illnesses and death. You have done it for
more than ten weeks under partial lockdown. Let us show that we can
stay safe in relaxed conditions,” he added.
*Schools, markets remain closed
*Mosques, Churches to run only Juma’at, Sunday services
Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has announced the
opening of Kaduna state, after 75 days of partial lockdown.
In a state broadcast, on Tuesday, el-Rufai paid tribute to the
good people of Kaduna State, for their immense sacrifices in the
last two and half months as containment measures against COVID-19
were implemented.
The governor said that as from Wednesday, 10 June 2020, the
Quarantine Order will be amended to permit a significant reopening
of the state, especially businesses and places of worships.
El-Rufai, however, said that schools and markets will remain
closed because, at this stage of COVID-19 containment, it is still
considered unsafe for markets and schools to reopen.
He promised that the government will “keep engaging with the
relevant stakeholders on the matter, to determine the appropriate
timing and conditions precedent.
“Businesses can reopen, subject to the provision of thermometers
for temperature checks, sanitisers or handwashing equipment and
physical distancing measures within all facilities. Working hours
will be 9 am to 3 pm daily,” he said.
The governor further said that “church services are allowed only
on Sundays and Mosques are allowed to conduct only Friday Jumat
services, for the time being, subject to compliance with the safety
stipulations above.”
El-Rufai maintained that transport operators must reduce
capacity to not more than two passengers per row and not more than
50 per cent of capacity.
The governor said that the ban on intra-state travel has been
lifted but government officials will continue to control state
boundaries to reduce unauthorised interstate travel.
“Within the state, security checkpoints will be allowed only to
enforce compliance with the night-time curfew. During the day, any
violations of the adjusted Quarantine Order like failure to wear
facemasks etc. will be enforced by Operation Yaki, KASTLEA, the
Vigilance Service and our Mobile Courts,” he said.
According to him, “supermarkets and providers of personal
services such as hairdressing and barbing salons can reopen; hotels
can fully open, but with their restaurants and bars offering only
room service.”
The governor warned that restaurants may all reopen after
decontamination, but are still restricted to takeaway services,
adding that “Public servants will be summoned back to work in
phases to be announced by the Head of Service.”
El-Rufai counselled that after the opening up of the state, “the
next step of staying safe while pursuing socio-economic activities
is strictly in the hands of each individual.
“While we require individual citizens to practice personal
responsibility, the places where they work, worship or shop and the
vehicles in which they travel must also protect their health and
safety,” he clarified.
The governor pointed out that “this requires that all sectors of
society understand and discharge their responsibility for safe
reopening, including the specific steps they are required to
take.”
According to him, government officials embarked on series of
sensitisation and consultations with stakeholders in the last two
weeks as part of conditions for reopening the various sectors, in
order to promote this wide understanding.
The governor said that government officials submitted the draft
guidelines for debate at those meetings and “we have considered the
contributions, suggestions and feedback received from the
stakeholders in concluding the detailed re-opening protocols being
published for each sector.”
El-Rufai warned that “any facility or sector that generally
violates the guidelines will be closed down under the Quarantine
Order No 2 of June 2020 that I will sign today for immediate
gazetting.”
While urging citizens to take responsibility and comply with
these measures, he further warned that “this relaxation will be
reversed in the event of a spike in COVID-19 infections or
unsatisfactory compliance levels with the conditions, and total
quarantine re-imposed to preserve health and protect lives.”
El Rufai appealed to people who are 50 years and above restrict
their movement, in spite of the fact that restriction of movement
has been lifted in the Kaduna state.
“As we open up, we advise older people to stay home as much as
possible and avoid condolence visits and attending congregational
prayers. Older people above 50 years should avoid receiving
visitors.
“If you must receive, please wear a facemask and stay two meters
apart from your visitors. Younger people that may be infected but
showing no signs of the disease can easily infect older people,” he
counselled.
The governor promised that his administration “will continue to
implement the policy of repatriating almajirai back to their
parents to afford them due care and the right to free
education.”
According to him, “this is is an important step in complying
with our state’s Child Welfare and Protection Law. We do not regard
modern education and quranic education as mutually exclusive. A
child can get both without being abandoned b their parents, leading
to child abuse, mistreatment and an uncertain future.”
El Rufai pleaded with residents of Kaduna State to commit to
taking personal responsibility.
“Let us honour the sacrifices that have been made to ensure that
this opening up supports the pursuit of livelihoods without risking
widespread infection, illnesses and death. You have done it for
more than ten weeks under partial lockdown. Let us show that we can
stay safe in relaxed conditions,” he added.