By Temitope Akintoye,
The Kaduna State Government has disclosed that it is set to relax the state’s lockdown measures as soon as a reduction in incidence rates of the deadly coronavirus pandemic is recorded.
It said that once epidemiological evidence showing a drop in pandemic incidence rates was received from the state’s medical bodies, permissions would be granted for more economic activities to resume operations within the state.
The Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, affirmed that his administration was interested in fully reopening businesses and firms in the state, but noted that it was pertinent to ensure safety of the people before embarking on such a move.
El-Rufai, in a statement released from his office on Friday, said that despite his administration’s commitment to easing lockdown in the state, cooperation and sacrifice from the people was necessary in order to curb spread of the viral infection and facilitate a safe commencement of activities.
He advised residents to be supportive of each other and act in solidarity against the global pandemic by observing the medically prescribed preventive measures such as regular hand washing, social distancing, and avoidance of large crowds.
“The state wishes to be ready to permit more economic actors to safely reopen their firms and businesses… However, before we get to that point, present conditions require that people with an income undertake acts of sacrifice and solidarity to support those whose livelihoods are challenged by the lockdown. The government calls for the understanding of everyone, especially workers in the public sector, of the imperative of sacrifice and solidarity in this moment of emergency,”
“This requires the disciplined and consistent exercise of personal responsibility: regular hand-washing with soap and water, wearing face-masks when outside the home, observance of social distancing, and avoidance of large gatherings”.
The governor felicitated with the people on occasion of the Workers’-day celebration and expressed optimism that coming festivities would not be marred by the present threat of coronavirus on the nation.
He assured Kaduna residents of his administration’s commitment to the welfare and well being of its people, saying that the government would continue with ongoing efforts to strengthen its public service and improve working conditions for all state employees.
