TheCable

The Kaduna government has lifted the lockdown imposed on the state to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The state had been on partial lockdown since March 26.

In a state broadcast on Tuesday, Nasir el-Rufai, the governor, said as from Wednesday, the quarantine order will be amended to permit a significant reopening of the state, especially for businesses and places of worship.

Schools and markets, however, will remain shut as the governor said it is unsafe to reopen them “at this stage”.

He said his government will keep engaging with the relevant stakeholders on the matter to determine the appropriate timing and conditions for reopening.

“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 from 9am to 3pm daily,” el-Rufai said.

“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.

“Transport operators must reduce capacity to not more than two passengers per row and not more than 50 percent of capacity.”

The governor said 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.

“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.

“Restaurants may all reopen after decontamination, but are still restricted to takeaway services.

“Public servants will be summoned back to work in phases to be announced by the head of service.”

The governor warned that any facility or sector that violates the guidelines will be closed down under the quarantine order No. 2 of June 2020.

While urging citizens to take responsibility and comply with the new guidelines, el-Rufai warned that relaxation will be reversed in the event of a spike in COVID-19 infections or unsatisfactory compliance levels.

The governor also promised that his administration will continue to implement the policy of repatriating almajiri kids back to their parents to afford them due care and the right to free education.

“This 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 by their parents, leading to child abuse, mistreatment and an uncertain future,” he said.