Enugu becomes first South-East state to confirm Coronavirus cases, closes borders

Enugu State has become the first stare in the South Eastern psst of Nigeria to have confirmed cases off Coronavirus. The state government in response has announced the closure of its borders and markets after two cases were confirmed in the state.

In a statement released by the Secretary to the State Government Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, it was gathered that the order on closure of all land borders and inter-state transportation will be effected from 6pm on Tuesday, March 31.

Markets exempted from the closure include “those dealing on food items, water, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and other basic items of daily domestic need who must comply with the standard hygiene protocol as stipulated by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), including frequent handwashing with soap, use of sanitizer and social distancing.”

The statement added;

“All local government chairmen are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with the closure of the markets within their respective local government councils, without prejudice to the exceptions above.

“At this difficult time as no sacrifice is too much to save the lives of our people. The state government has directed the security agencies and the State Medical Response Team to enforce all the directives as stated above.”

Recall that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed that Enugu recorded its first cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in an announcement made on Friday night.