Kaduna State Government has said that it is looking at the possibility of imposing another lockdown due to the rising cases of coronavirus in the state as a result of noncompliance with COVID-19 protocols by the people.
Speaking with the BBC Hausa Service, Governor Nasir el-Rufai expressed fears that the rising cases may overwhelm health facilities in the state.
According to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), a total of 54 new cases were recorded in Kaduna on Friday, and 95 in the last three days.
“All the guidelines we have issued are not being observed by majority of the people. Today, if you reopen the market, one infected person can spread it to thousands of others,” el-Rufai said.
He added that tracing people that must have come into contact with an infected person inside a market for them to be tested will not be possible.
The governor also decried the nonobservance of the COVID-19 protocols in places of worship.
Kaduna State had imposed a lockdown for more than three months before it was relaxed, even as it is placed eighth on the list of infected states.
But the government is yet to reopen other places including markets, like its neighbours.
El-Rufai said rather than reopening more places, some of the ones earlier reopened may be locked down again due to noncompliance with the guidelines by people
‘It is better for traders to turn beggars than die of COVID-19‘
The governor who was tested positive for the virus and recovered earlier if people walk around the state they would observe that people are not wearing facemasks as the government directed. “If you stop someone as ask him why he is not wearing a facemask, he will bring it out from his pocket.”
He said wearing facemask can prevent the spread of the virus.
When asked about the condition of traders in the state due to the continuous lockdown of the markets forcing some of them to turn to beggars, the governor said “They have started begging? But it is better to beg than to die. We have a duty to protect peoples’ health and lives. Traders can be assisted.”
“When things return to normal we will find ways of assisting them,” he promised.
