By Adeniyi Adedeji, Ilorin
The Kwara State government has as from 6 p.m today, Monday, May 4, imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on the state as a further measure to contain the seeming rampage of Coronavirus.
This is coming barely four days after it relaxes an earlier total lockdown to partial, which would allow freer movements and transaction of commercial activities.
However, there are indications at the weekend that the issue of community transmission of the pandemic is ravaging, when three and two cases were recorded within a span of three days, unlike what it used to be when the plague started.
The state government had on Sunday night said “that the recent relax of the lockdown does not mean that the state was out of the woods.”
Meanwhile, another six COVID-19 patients were discharged, after testing negative to the virus twice, two weeks after it discharged two patients.
With the six patients discharged, Kwara State’s active COVID-19 active cases are now eight, from the 14 it used to be before the recent discharges.
Notwithstanding this development, however, the government warned Kwara people against letting down their guards, because “the level of threat of infection remains high across the country.”
Speaking through the state governor’s spokesman, who also doubles as Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19, Rafiu Ajakaiye, the state government said, “Effective from tomorrow Monday May 4, (today) there will be statewide curfew between 6p.m. and 6.a.m. until further notice.
“This is part of the agreement of the Northern Governors’ Forum, NGF, to prevent non-essential and unauthorised movement that could spike infection rate.
“Also, in addition to the measures earlier announced on Friday May 1, the government hereby bans travels/movement from one local government to the other. This is especially true of local governments with clear borders.”
Ajakaiye also said other measures earlier announced remain in force, but are subject to constant reviews, if the government fears increased threat of transmission in the state.
He added, “We repeat that we are not in any way out of the danger of this pandemic. The government will be as flexible as practicable in the phased reopening of the economy, but it will at all time prioritise protection of lives.
“In other words, the level of threats of the virus will determine government’s response from time to time.
“The government directs residents without something specific and urgent to do outside to stay at home. The government also insists that anyone who wants to go out must use face mask.”
