As part of proactive measures to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus disease in Benue State, a dusk to dawn curfew has been imposed in the state with effect from Monday March 30, 2020.
Only those on essential duties are exempted from the directive.
State Governor, Samuel Ortom announced this during the fasting and prayer service organinized by Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Benue Chapter and state government, against COVID-19 pandemic and renewed Fulani herdsmen attacks on Benue Communities.
Gov. Ortom who noted that the 8p.m to 6a.m curfew will last for two weeks, also called on everyone in Benue to join him in the fasting and prayer session which will last throughout the month of April.
The Governor, who stated that God is angry with humanity named several abominations such as man sleeping with animals, marriages of man to man or woman to woman, transgender, herdsmen killings to mention a few, saying “we need to fast and pray and seek the face of God to show us mercy. It is personal and optional for those who feel the pain like I do. We have sinned against God. We need to seek him to show us mercy and prove himself.”
Meanwhile, during a live broadcast to people of the state on Sunday evening, Gov. Ortom also stated that all borders linking the Food Basket State with other states will be closed on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
He said that commercial vehicles coming in and those going out of the state as well as those moving from one local government to another must produce manifest of their passengers for proper tracking of contacts in case of any eventuality.
In addition to the curfew and closure of borders, the Governor reiterated the ban on markets with effect from Monday and public gatherings of all sorts, urging the people to cooperate in the interest of all.
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The Governor also announced a ban on all night clubs, bars and restaurants which would only render takeaway services, conveyance of limited number of people by town service buses and tricycles with the use of hand sanitizers by passengers at all times.
He also insisted that residents must observe social distancing, regular washing of hands with soap and running water, use of hand sanitizers, coughing or sneezing in a bent elbow and wearing of face masks as well as other preventive measures.
Ortom charged people of the state to become information officers in sensitising the public on preventive measures against the deadly Coronavirus.
He also urged those who had contact with the first index case to come out for testing as early detection and treatment could help in saving lives.
He announced emergency help lines to the response team to include the following telephone numbers: 07025031214, 09018602439, 07037449837 and 08033696511 and urged the public to call and report suspected cases or seek help from relevant authorities.
Gov. Ortom stated that government had already released N76 million naira to the State Action Committee on COVID- 19 and a Hilux vehicle to facilitate its operations, stressing that six ambulances had also been provided to attend to any reported case across the state.
He acknowledged the fact that some of the drastic measures taken by his administration were painful explaining that they were necessary sacrifices meant to prevent loss of lives due to the global pandemic.
