In a bid to prevent the entry of the COVID-19 pandemic into the state, and as well to curb the spread of the virus in Nigeria, Sokoto State has closed all inter-state routes from, Friday, 27th of March, 2020 to Friday, 10th of April, 2020.
This was made known by the Governor of the state, Rtd. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who addressed the state on the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Governor Tambuwal in the address began by expressing gratitude to Allah for Sokoto so far hasn’t recorded any positive COVID-19 case, further revealing that the only suspected case turned out negative.
His words: “Alhamdulilah! Sokoto is experiencing a little less situation, having so far recorded no case of infection. The only suspected case has tested negative of the coronavirus.”
The state’s government in its tireles bid to maintain the record, constituted a taskforce team on the 19th of March, 2020 charged with the responsibility of preventing the entry and spread of the virus in Sokoto state. The committee under the leadership of the Commissioner of Health: Dr. Muhammad, has been in liase with the government on ways to ensure that the virus is kept out of the state.
The decision to close inter-state routes is following a meeting held between the taskforce committee, traditional rulers and heads of security agencies in the state.
The closure of the routes however does not include the carriage of food and medical items.
Governor Tambuwal said: “All interstate routes into Sokoto state are to be closed from midnight of Friday, March 27th 2020 to 10th April, 2020 for the initial two weeks, except for the supply of food and essential medical commodities.”
In the same vein, Governor Tambuwal has mandated all civil servants in the state to henceforth work from home until the 10th of April, 2020.
His words: “Similarly, all state civil servants from grade level 12 and below are to work from their homes for initial two weeks from Friday, March 27 2020 to Friday, April 10 2020.
“Other measures to be taken by the state will be predicated from effort advice from the State Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and Federal Ministry of Health as and when the need arises.” He added.
Some other states in Nigeria on a similar lockdown include: Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Delta, Kaduna, Rivers, Kwara, Edo states, e.t.c.
