COVID-19: Ortom imposes curfew in Benue

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Sunday, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the state to check spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

Ortom announced this in a radio broadcast to the people of the state in Makurdi.

He said the decision became imperative following the discovery of the index case of coronavirus in the state and its attendant consequences on the overall health of the state.

The governor said: “There will be restriction of movement from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m daily, except those on essential services. The curfew will take effect from Monday, 30th March 2020 till further notice.”

Other measures announced by the governor to contain the ravaging viral infection included suspension of all public gatherings till further notice.

He, however, said marriage ceremonies, community festivals, funerals, and religious meetings (Churches and Mosques) were not to exceed 30 persons.

The governor also directed all commercial vehicles traveling in and out of the state, as well as those traveling from one local government area to another within the state to submit manifest of their passengers to the appropriate authorities.

Ortom added: “The manifest must contain information about the passengers’ names, phone numbers, residential addresses, and final destination.

“Tricycles also known as ‘Keke NAPEP’ should not convey more than two passengers at a time.

“Township and mini- buses should not convey more than seven passengers at a time.

“Commercial motorcycles also known as ‘Okada’ should convey one person at a time and wear face mask.

“Importantly, all commercial vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles must have hand sanitisers for the use of passengers.”