COVID-19: Kano opens markets, announces new guidelines

126

The Kano state government on Monday announced guidelines and established protocols on how to manage access to markets and locations of economic activities to further limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

The development was in compliance with easing of the lockdown imposed by the Federal Government to curb the Coronavirus spread.

State Information Commissioner Malam Muhammad Garba said in a statement that after due consultations with critical stakeholders that situation in markets, places of worship, vehicular and human movement had been reviewed, especially on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:00am to 6:00pm.

The statement said Governor Abdullahi Ganduje had summoned an emergency meeting with market leaders on how to ensure strict observance of safety and prevention protocols in markets and business places.

It reads: “It is necessary for such places to ensure compliance with safety rules that include mandatory use of non-medical face masks; provision of handwashing facilities/sanitisers and extensive temperature checks.”

The commissioner pointed out that while these restrictions have been lifted, interstate movements except for goods, agricultural produce and essential services will remain in force.

He said as schools will remain closed, the statement urged students to avail themselves the opportunity of radio and televised lessons being sponsored by the state government.

The commissioner further explained that Ganduje attributed “the success being recorded in terms of reduced number of infectious to measures being taken by the government and health authorities and more importantly to fervent prayers by the Ulama and the people in the people in the state. And calls for more of such prayers until the disease is completely wiped out.”