The Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has lifted the lockdown imposed on the state as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He, has therefore, cautioned that communities that violate any of the stipulated protocols would be isolated and locked down.
The Governor disclosed this at a media briefing on Thursday.
“The lockdown earlier imposed in the state from Sundays to Wednesdays is hereby lifted until further notice.
“The curfew imposed by the Federal Government from 10pm to 6am will continue to be observed until further directives are issued.
“There shall be no entry whatsoever, into public offices, banks, markets, stores, tricycles and vehicles without wearing facemasks.
“Violators of this order will be arrested and taken before the mobile courts,” the governor reiterated.
According to Lalong, cultural festivals, anniversaries and large-scale gatherings in the state remain banned, adding that the ban on commercial motorcycles remained in force, except Dispatch Riders and other essential service operators.
On worship centres, the Governor said: “Churches and Mosques with large spaces shall be allowed to accommodate more than 50 worshippers under strict observance of the use of facemasks, social distancing, hand washing, use of infrared thermometers and use of sanitizers.
“While details on compliance shall be provided, let me emphasize that all public places like markets, shops, hotels, restaurants that fail to comply with the hygiene or sanitation regulations, social distancing as well as the use of facemasks shall be penalized and where appropriate, bear any cost or penalty as would be specified.”
Lalong, however, noted that the Head of Civil Service has been directed to work out modalities for the resumption of other categories of civil servants who have been working from home.
He insisted that while the lockdown is relaxed within the state, inter-state borders shall remain closed with greater enforcement.
On resumption of schools, the Governor said that all schools are to remain closed.
A Monitoring Committee consisting of Government officials and leaders of critical stakeholders, the governor revealed, will be constituted to ensure that there is compliance to the guidelines.
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