Governor Masari locks down Katsina after two new Coronavirus cases

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina state has ordered the lock down of the state capital, Katsina after two people residing in the metropolitan area tested positive for Coronavirus.

The lock down is expected to commence from 7am on Tuesday April 20, and there will be zero movement of persons, with limited services to be provided by selected pharmacies and raw food sellers. Some parts of the state; Daura and Dutsinma local government areas have since been placed on lock down with the Katsina state capital to follow suit early Tuesday morning.

The new Coronavirus patients are both males, and it was gathered that one is a business man who travels extensively to Abuja, Lagos, and other places.

Katsina state now has 12 confirmed cases of Coronavirus, while several contact cases have either had their samples taken, or are being traced to determine their status.

Governor Masari said;

“Katsina State now has 12 confirmed cases, with one dead. This now makes it 11 cases, with two in Katsina, one in Dutsinma, and rest in Daura.

“In line with what we used to do in such situation by locking down a city or local government, we are locking down Katsina to avoid spread of the disease.

“Discussions have already been held with the state emergency response committee and other government officials on the issue and agreed that, Katsina be closed by 7am Tuesday morning. It is going to be a total lockdown of Katsina.

“All other local governments with the exception of Daura and Dutsinma, would have restriction of movement.

“God forbid, but if we are to have a case of coronavirus in any of the local governments, we will close it down and lock its borders”

Governor Masari also decried the rate at which people were moving into Katsina state from neighbouring states and Niger Republic, despite the reported closure of borders.

He added;

“Such situation is threatening effective containment of the disease. Neighbouring states and Niger Republic should help regulate the inflow of people.”