The Niger State Government has directed the closure of Public and Private Schools as well as Tertiary Institutions across the State from Friday, 18th December, 2020.
A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chairman, Niger State Task Force on COVID-19 Pandemic, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane stated that the closure followed an upsurge of the COVID-19 in the country.
Ahmed Matane disclosed that the second wave of coronavirus in the country necessitated the closure of all schools in the State for the period of thirty days.
The Chairman further stated that in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 Pandemic in the State due to the spike, the State Government has directed that all Civil Servants are to stay at home from Monday, 21st December, 2020 till further notice except those on essential services.
The SSG enjoined the people of the State to quickly return to the use of face masks, physical and social distancing, so as to help curb the spread of the pandemic in the State, adding that coronavirus was still very much lurking around.
“Despite massive advocacy and sensitization by the Government, it is disappointing to see the crowd at worship centres, banks, markets, motor parks across the State flouting the coronavirus guidelines. “We will be forced to take the painful decision of bringing the State under the COVID-19 Preventive, Containment and Emergency Order if it remains clear that Nigerlites are determined to flout the rules”, Ahmed Matane disclosed.
The Chairman of the State Task Force on COVID-19 then called on the financial institutions, supermarkets, corporate entities, and commercial vehicles and motorcycles owners to strictly ensure the enforcement of “no face mark, no entry” in order to halt further spread of the scourge in the communities and flatten the curve.
The Chairman further expressed optimism that the fight against the dreaded virus will be won if Nigerlites adhere strictly to the safety protocols of COVID-19.
