The Kwara State Government has announced additional measures to curtail community transmission of COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

The government insists that recent relaxation of the lockdown announced by Nigeria’s president Buhari does not mean that the state was out of the wood.

“Effective from tomorrow Monday May 4, there will be statewide curfew between 6p.m. and 6.a.m. until further notice.

The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor and Spokesman of State Technical Committee on COVID-19, Rafiu Ajakaye in a statement issued on Sunday evening said the government action is part of the agreement of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) to prevent non-essential and unauthorised movement that could spike infection rate.

“Also, in addition to the measures earlier announced on Friday, the first of May, the government hereby bans travels/movement from one local government to the other. This is especially true of local governments with clear borders” the statement read.

The Governor stressed that other measures earlier announced remained in force but are subject to constant reviews if the government fears increased threat of transmission in the state.

“We repeat that we are not in anyway out of the danger of this pandemic. The government will be as flexible as practicable in the phased reopening of the economy but it will at all time prioritise protection of lives. In other words, the level of threats of the virus will determine government’s response from time to time,”.

“The government directs residents without something specific and urgent to do outside to stay at home. The government also insists that anyone who wants to go out must use face mask, ” the statement high lighted.

Meanwhile, the government has said that six more COVID-19 patients who have been discharged have now tested negative — two weeks after two former patients were confirmed free of the virus.

With the six patients being discharged, Kwara now has eight active cases – down from the previous 14.

Regardless of this cheery news , the government warned citizens against letting their guards down as the level of threat of infection remains high across the country.

By Titi B