El-Rufai: Compliance with Covid protocols will avert lockdown

Governor Nasir El-Rufai has stated that the state government is counting on the cooperation of citizens in containing the surge in Covid-19 infections, explaining  that a lockdown is not the immediate focus of the Kaduna State.  
The governor, who made the appeal during a media chat with some broadcast-journalists in Hausa on Wednesday night, noted that the spike in infection is as a result of lack of adherence to Covid-19 preventive measures.
“We are calling on all our citizens to join us to fight Covid-19 and save lives without having a lockdown. We think there are lots of simpler things citizens and businesses can do that can help reduce the spread of the disease.’’
Malam El-Rufai said that the government expects voluntary compliance with Covid prevention protocols so that livelihoods can be pursued in safety.
‘’We are counting on the cooperation of our citizens, religious leaders, the business community, transporters and other stakeholders in a collective effort to stop Covid-19. We can do it by voluntary compliance,’’ he added.
El-Rufai also directed that as from Thursday, 17 December 2020, all residents of Kaduna state must wear facemasks when leaving their homes, adding that security agents will enforce compliance and mobile courts will try offenders.
The governor argued that mass compliance is preferable to a lockdown which will disrupt peoples means of livelihoods and inconvenience residents of the state.
He however warned that the government will  impose a lockdown if it becomes necessary to save lives and prevent the collapse of the healthcare system.