Plateau state Governor, Mr Simon Lalong
By M. Peter, Jos
Plateau state government has ordered the suspension of activities at all Eid praying grounds in the state for now so as to curb the spread order of the COVID-19 disease which number of confirmed cases is on the increase in the State.
The government gave the order ahead of the coming Sallah celebration and encouraged Muslim faithful to observe the eid prayers at home mosques in strict compliance to safety measures already outlined by government.
Secretary to the Government of the State, Professor Danladi Atu, who addressed newsmen in Jos also urged citizens to imbibe the use of facemasks in public places or remain at home.
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His words, “In view of the rising cases of the coronavirus pandemic, the Plateau State government has directed that all Eid-el Fitr prayer grounds across the State should be closed. This is in consonance with the directives of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Island Affairs. However, prayers may be conducted at home mosques, while respecting the social distancing and not exceeding 50 persons. Wearing of face masks and hand washing should be strictly complied with to curtail the spread of the virus.
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“Operation of Tricycle (Keke Napep) has been banned for Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd May, 2020. All recreational centered across the State remain closed as earlier announced. The security operatives have been directed to enforce the above restrictions accordingly. Meanwhile, the Governor wishes to extent his goodwill message to our Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr festival.”
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nimkong Lar, further stressed the need for safety, explaining that so far, three health workers have tested positive to the virus in the State and called on the people not to panic, but abide by ground rules to overcome the disease.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manjang particularly frowned at people violating the lockdown directives, maintaining that almost all the 57 cases were imported into the State by travelers from elsewhere and appealed to citizens to obey the laid down guidelines which is expected to help contain the disease.
