Yuletide: Plateau strategises on security, COVID-19
Following the second wave of COVID-19 across the country, the Plateau State government has said it does not intend to impose a lockdown but will ensure strict compliance to all protocols. This was made known at a stakeholders meeting convened by Governor Simon Bako Lalong with local government chairmen, traditonal rulers, religious leaders, community leaders […]
The chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong
Following the second wave of COVID-19 across the country, the Plateau State government has said it does not intend to impose a lockdown but will ensure strict compliance to all protocols.
This was made known at a stakeholders meeting convened by Governor Simon Bako Lalong with local government chairmen, traditonal rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and health experts to discuss how best to address the situation in line with the advisory of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Danladi Abok Atu, the governor said the event was organised to draw the attention of the stakeholders to the urgency of the situation occasioned by the second wave of the pandemic particularly during the yuletide season.
He said the governor has directed that strong measures must be taken to ensure that people are sensitised to observe all the COVID-19 protocols in order to curb the spread of the disease.
On security, Atu said reports available to the government showed that some criminal elements were planning attacks on some communities in the state during the yuletide season.
He called for a more community-driven response to intelligence and surveillance so as to assist security agencies with useful information to enable them to respond to any threat would be enhanced.
After exhaustive deliberations, the meeting agreed that all public gatherings including places of worship should cut down attendance to 50 per cent of their capacity.
It also banned all cultural festivals and called for the enforcement of the use of facemasks in all public places while social distancing, hand washing and other protocols are adhered to.
“COVID-19 testing should be enhanced in all local government areas while all sample collection centres be publicised to encourage voluntary testing,’’ the meeting further agreed.