COVID-19: Niger govt shuts down schools, directs workers to stay at home

The Niger State Government has directed the closure of Public and private schools and tertiary institutions across the state from tomorrow, Friday, December 18, 2020.

It also directed all civil servants to stay at home from Monday, December 21, 2020 till further notice except those on essential services

A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chairman, Niger State Task Force on COVID-19 Pandemic, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, said the closure followed an upsurge of the COVID-19 in the country.

Matane explained that the second wave of coronavirus in the country necessitated the closure of all schools in the State for the period of thirty days.

“In order to curb the spread of COVID-19 Pandemic in the State due to the spike, the State Government has directed that all Civil Servants are to stay at home from Monday, 21st December, 2020 till further notice except those on essential services.”

He also urged the people of the State to quickly return to the use of face masks, physical and social distancing, so as to help curb the spread of the pandemic in the State, adding that coronavirus is still very much lurking around.

He lamented that inspite of massive advocacy and sensitization by the Government on the pandemic, people are still flouting the coronavirus guidelines at worship centres, banks, markets, motor parks across the State.

“We will be forced to take the painful decision of bringing the State under the COVID-19 Preventive, Containment and Emergency Order if it remains clear that Nigerlites are determined to flout the rules”, Ahmed Matane disclosed.

The Chairman of the State Task Force on COVID-19 called on the financial institutions, supermarkets, corporate entities, and commercial vehicles and motorcycles owners to strictly ensure the enforcement of “no face mark, no entry” in order to halt further spread of the scourge in the communities and flatten the curve.

Matane, however, expressed optimism that the fight against the dreaded virus will be won if , Nigerlites adhere strictly to the safety protocols of COVID-19.