In a bid to further contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kano state government has announced a one-week extension of the lockdown earlier imposed by President Buhari.
The President had on April 27 imposed a two-week total lockdown on the state to check the widespread of the virus.
While addressing Nigerians on the COVID-19 outbreak, he stated;
With regards to Kano, I have directed the enforcement of a total lockdown for a period of two weeks effective immediately. The Federal Government shall deploy all the necessary human, material, and technical resources to support the state in controlling and containing the pandemic and preventing the risk of further spread to neighbouring states.
The Commissioner for Information in the state, Malam Muhammed Garba has now announced an extension of the lockdown in a statement issued on behalf of the government late Monday.
Garba said the decision was reached after due consultations with the Federal Government and key stakeholders in the health sector.
He asserted that the measure is aimed at further reducing indiscriminate person to person contacts which is considered as one of the major ways the disease is being spread.
Garba urged residents of Kano to continue to observe strict personal hygiene through regular hand washing, use of face masks and social distancing.
Read Also: COVID-19: River State Temporarily Lifts Lockdown
He acknowledged the consequences of the measure on the general public and called for patience and support as the battle against the pandemic continues.
Confirming the development, Buhari’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, tweeted:
Kano State Government has announced the extension of the total lockdown imposed on the state by one week to help further combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kano State Government has announced the extension of the total lockdown imposed on the state by one week to help further combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state commissioner for information, Malam Muhammad Garba, made the announcement.
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) May 11, 2020
Kano has recorded 666 confirmed cases, 61 recoveries and 32 deaths, as at press time.
