The Plateau Government has suspended celebration of cultural festivals and anniversaries as part of measures to control the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The government, therefore, directed that not more than 50 persons should attend weddings and burials in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Danladi Atu, issued the directive at a news briefing on Friday in Jos.
Atu said the measures were the resolutions reached at the end of an interactive session with critical stakeholders whom included traditional leaders, medical experts, women groups and market associations.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders interactive/enlightenment session that was earlier held, was presided by Gov. Simon Lalong who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden to chart ways of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Plateau.
“All anniversaries and cultural festivals are hereby suspended throughout Plateau.
“Marriages and burials should be restricted to family members and a crowd of not more than 50 persons with 2 meters spacing,” he said.
He said that all social gatherings should be avoided and urged Plateau residents to use face masks as a preventive measure.
The secretary to the state government also directed that all public and private schools and tertiary institution be closed down with immediate effect, and that worship centres should reduce their congregation.
“All worship centers, churches and mosques must reduce congregation with a spacing of not less than 2 meters interval and they are to provide running water and soap and sanitisers at their entrances,” he said.
He said that all motor parks, hotels, markets and super markets should maintain 2 meters spacing and provide running water and soap and sanitisers at their entrances, while all taxis, buses and tricycles should have hand sanitizers attached to their vehicles.
Atu said that there would be checks and testing at the major entry points to the state which are: Lafiya/Qua’anpang, Zaria /Jos, Bauchi/ Jos and Abuja /Riyom, boundaries for screening of the virus.
He said that Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), one of the three emergency isolation centres in the state, was one of the best in the country in terms of facilities and availability of commodities to handle infectious diseases.
He said the emergency number: 07032864444 for the centres was for residents to call to report suspected cases and other related issues.
The secretary to the state government urged the public to comply with the safety measures, saying the pandemic must be treated seriously, explaining that its control required the cooperation of the public.
