COVID-19: Kano Bans Viewing Centres, Direct Civil Servants To Stay At Home

Kano State Government, Northwestern Nigeria, has placed a ban on viewing and event centres across the state in an attempt to combat the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Viewing centres in the state attract a large number of youths who often watch football matches without observing social distancing and wearing of face masks.

Muhammad Garba, the state Commissioner for Information, said in a statement that the state government has directed civil servants to stay at home.

Garba however, said the announcement exempted essential service providers such as healthcare workers, teaching staff, security guards and the media staff.

Kano State has recorded a total of 2,617 positive cases of COVID-19 with 70 deaths as of Jan. 18, 2021, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) posted.

In 2020, the state witnessed an unusual rise in mortality attributed to the COVID-19 complications.

In the past four weeks, 10 people were confirmed dead due to the COVID-19, underscoring the deadly nature of the second wave  of the pandemic.

Garba said the decision was taken after a meeting with stakeholders at the Government House Monday adding that the government will continue working with the stakeholders to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.

He was silent on what Government is doing to prevent the spread of the virus in schools as students go back to school on Monday.

While announcing the Jan. 18 resumption date for schools in the state, Aliyu Yusuf, the Chief Public Relations Officer, Kano State Ministry of Education, appealed to parents, guardians and students to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, to prevent further spread of COVID-19.

HumAngle reports that residents of Kano were not observing the COVID-19 protocols as they continue to gather in large numbers at marketplaces and worship centres.