COVID-19: Kwara Government imposes curfew, bans inter-LG travels 

By Joy Okosieme

 The government of Kwara State has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on the state as part of measures to check the spread of the coronavirus diseases(COVID-19) in the state.

The curfew, which will last from 6 pm to 6 am, is part of additional measures introduced by the Governor Abdul Rahman AbdulRazaq administration to secure the life of citizens of the state.

Additional measures introduced to curtail community transmission of the included COVID-19 pandemic in the state included a ban on movement between local governments.

Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor who disclosed the latest measures in a statement on Sunday, said the state was not out of the woods yet despite the easing of lockdown.

“Effective from tomorrow Monday, May 4, there will be statewide curfew between 6 p.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 unauthorized movement that could spike the 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”, said Ajakaye, who is also the spokesman of the  Technical Committee on COVID-19.

 The statement 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. 

 “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 times prioritize the protection of lives. In other words, the level of threats of the virus will determine the government’s response from time to time,” the statement said.

 The statement directed residents without something specific and urgent to do outside to stay at home noting that anyone who wants to go out must use a face mask.

Meanwhile, six COVID-19 patients who have twice tested negative have been discharged. This is coming two weeks after it discharged two former patients.

 With the six patients discharged, Kwara now has eight active cases of COVID-19 down from 14 a day earlier.

 Regardless, the government warned people against letting down their guards as the level of threat of infection remained high across the country.