Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, Thursday night ordered a total lockdown of Dutsin-ma Local Government Area with effective7: 00am on Friday, April 17, 2020.
The Governor also directed the closure of all major weekly markets across the state and all weekly congregational prayers including the annual Ramadan Tafsir and all other public gathering places in the state with effect from next week.
A press statement which was signed by Mustapha Mohammad Inuwa, Secretary to the Government of State (SGS) and made available to newsmen in Katsina, Thursday night stated that the decision was reached after the regular review meeting on combating the spread of COVID-19.
He said “Governor Aminu Bello Masari has received a report from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC),which confirmed one COVID-19 case in Dutsin-ma town which made it necessary to lockdown the local government to tame it’s spread to other parts of the area and state as a whole’’.
“Also affected, is the weekly Friday congregational prayers at all Juma’at mosques, in the state, which is suspended with effect from next week. Also the suspension of annual Ramadan Mosques and all other centres and public places throughout the state.”
The statement further stated that the Governor explained that decision taken was for the best interest of the people, country and humanity at large; urging citizens to adhere to the health guidelines and pray to Allah to intervene.
The State Government further ordered security operatives in the state, to intensify efforts and ensure strict compliance with the restriction order also at the inter-state borders
The Nation recalled that the latest lockdown order is coming a week after similar action was imposed on Daura town, the epic centre of Coronavirus pandemic in the state.