Lalong orders commissioners to undergo COVID-19 test after on tested positive

By M. Peter, Jos

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has directed members of the State Executive Council to undergo test for COVID-19 and thereafter isolate from today, (Wednesday) as one Commissioner tests positive to the virus.

The Commissioner, Abe Aku who is in charge of Commerce and Industry tested positive after undergoing a test, hence the directive that other members of the State Executive Council should be isolated to prevent possible spread of the disease.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manjang who issued a statement in Jos on Wednesday said the isolation is showing leadership by example.

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His words, “Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has directed members of the State Executive Council to undergo test for COVID-19 and thereafter isolate beginning today, 1st July, 2020. This follows the fact that a member of the State Executive Council and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Abe Aku tested positive for the virus after he carried out the test.

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“Based on the Governor’s directive specimens of the Commissioners are to be taken and forwarded to the COVID-19 laboratory at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom for testing. During the period and pending the outcome of the results members of the public are advised to be guided by unnecessary visits to members of the State Executive Council while they isolate. This action is to not only prevent possible spread of the disease, but also show leadership by example.

“It could be recalled that Governor Lalong and his family carried out the test earlier where all of them tested negative. The Governor has also continued to speak against stigmatization saying that COVID-19 is not a death sentence and only continuous testing will reveal the rate of infection and facilitate treatment to save lives. The Governor hopes that by this act, members of the public will be more encouraged to make themselves available for testing, while at the same time obeying the COVID-19 protocols of wearing face masks, social distancing, hand washing and the use of alcohol based sanitizers.”