Kwara state government on Friday said the state has recorded three new cases of COVID-19.

It added that new development brings the total numbers of confirmed cases in the state to 14.

The Deputy Governor and Chairman Technical Committee on COVID-19, Kayode Alabi made this known while addressing newsmen in Ilorin.

He said that ‘”of these, 12 are active as we had earlier discharged two. All our cases are stable and in the best spirits. We want to emphasise that one of the three new cases was imported while the remaining two are contacts of our earlier cases. Aggressive contact tracing has since begun.

“This incident of another imported case explains why we are now deploying military personnel to man our borders while police and other security agencies maintain their hold internally.”

Mr. Alabi added that: “In preparation for the gradual easing of lockdown, the government had earlier directed the production of 500,000 face masks which have started coming in bits. At the moment, we have commenced mass distribution of over 40,000 face masks and sanitisers to markets, bus parks and transporters, hospitals, and elsewhere. We will continue to distribute as we receive more masks in the next few days or weeks. We call on private individuals and corporate organisations to also produce masks.
He announced phasing reopening of activities in the state, emphasising that civil servants should work at home.

“Local markets are to operate between 10.00a.m. and 4.00p.m. Other businesses may open at 60% capacity but must adhere to social distancing and other safety measure; everybody in the market should wear face masks; all shops with clearly defined entrance should make provision for hand washing and adhere to social distancing guidelines, deny entry into their shops to Buyers without face masks.

“Marketers are directed to not attend to Buyers without face masks. The market associations must control the number of people in the market at any particular time to avoid overcrowding. Strict sanitation protocols must be observed before entering the market. Eateries and restaurants should only operate take away services.”
He said that “intra-state travels are allowed with the following provisions: taxis may operate every day with maximum of 3 passengers with all Occupants wearing face masks.

“Keke napep may operate with a maximum of 2 passengers and all Occupants must wear face masks
“All commercial transport vehicles except Okada may operate everyday but at 50% capacity to maintain social distancing. Violations will be resisted and punished.

“Face masks and the use of sanitisers before embarkment by drivers and passengers are compulsory. All vehicles must also have sanitisers onboard during travel.”

The deputy governor restated that “all schools, sport gatherings, religious and no religious, hospitality services, concerts and social gatherings remain banned until further notice.”