* Bello

by Pita Chib, Minna

Niger State Government has  relaxed the lockdown clamped on the state,after two and half months to avert the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic

Aside opening the markets, departmental stores and other business outfits, the government also said that the curfew in the state will now be from 10pm to 4am.

Governor Abubakar Bello, who made this known to newsmen in Minna announced the series of measures in Minna after a meeting with officials of the State COVID- 19 Task Force, said traders and proprietors of other business outfits must however ensure strict compliance with the regulations put in place by health authorities for the containment of the Coronavirus  pandemic including social distancing and wearing of face masks.

Bello however directed that all civil servants  apart from those on level 14 and above should  continue to remain at home but exempted those on essential services.

He also maintain the ban on inter state travels except for vehicles conveying food items and other goods adding that the ban on intra state movements has been lifted while the use of okada for commercial transportation is outlawed.

On the reopening of schools, Governor directed the Ministry of Education to organise a meeting with relevant stakeholders to come out with a policy on the reopening of educational institutions which for now remains closed.

He also said that wearing of face masks in public places is compulsory and asked law enforcement agencies to apprehend and prosecute offenders.

Bello said government will collaborate with the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai for the construction of a testing laboratory in the institution.