Kogi state government on Friday has placed ban on public gathering of 30 persons and above in a bid to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic in the state.
It also ordered that all schools, both public and private be closed indefinitely in response to the federal government’s directive that states initiate measures to curtail the situation.
A statement by the chief press secretary to Governor Yahaya Bello, Muhammed Onogwu, said the governor’s order takes effect from Monday, March 23, 2020.
The statement said the measures became imperative given the strategic location of the state which serve as transit point for travellers connecting various parts of the federation.
It urged citizens of the state to be cautious and observe high level of personal hygiene practice such as constant hand washing with soap and hand sanitizer.
It noted that as part of its preparedness, the state government has set up an isolation centre in Lokoja, the state capital, while an Emergency Response Team has been constituted too.
“At the moment, sensitisation and awareness are being created on the disease through the media as well as in parks, markets and community levels,” the statement added.
It noted that government is leveraging on the existing house-to-house Lassa fever campaign to take the message of COVID-19 to the grassroots.
The government also provided the following emergency telephone numbers for rapid response:08064469625, 07067918835, 08030607102, 08034732988, 08076288933. (Daily Trust)