COVID-19: Kwara orders total lockdown of Offa
Says 75 persons traced, sign regulation
Dismisses claims that one of the cases is dead
Following the confirmation of two cases of COVID-19 in Offa, the Kwara State government has ordered a total lockdown of Offa, Kwara state
In a statement issued by the deputy Governor/chairman Kwara State technical committee on COVID-19, on Tuesday, the government said it is compelled to effect a total shutdown of the ancient town to contain community transmission and save people’s lives.
“Following the confirmation of two cases of COVID-19 in Offa, the government is compelled to effect a total shutdown of the ancient town to contain community transmission and save people’s lives. This shutdown will become effective at 6pm local time on Wednesday April 8th,” the statement read.
“This directive is pursuant to the Kwara State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020. The shutdown means total restriction on every vehicular movement into or from Offa.
“The exceptions to this directive are those contained in the recent address of Mr President which granted access to vehicles transporting foodstuffs, poultry and pharmaceutical products. Any other movement, private or commercial, is hereby banned for the next 14 days or until such a time the government is satisfied that our people are no longer at risk of mass infections arising from the two cases that have been traced to the town.
“Any violators are liable to punishments outlined in the Kwara State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020. Various security agencies, including the police and the Nigerian Navy, have been drafted to enforce this directive while His Royal Highness the Olofa of Offa has been fully briefed.”
The government, however dismissed claims that one of the two suspected COVID-19 cases had died, as “they both remain stable and asymptomatic at this time”
The statement also added that plans were in place to distribute palliative measures to the vulnerable in the affected communities.
Recall that Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday revealed the state’s rapid response team (RRT) has identified at least 75 persons who have had contact with persons who tested positive for COVID-19.
He added that contacts — who have since begun isolation in line with COVID-19 protocol —include staff of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) who attended to a suspected case who died in the facility last Thursday.
