PRESS BRIEFING BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE, PROF. DANLADI ABOK ATU ON PLATEAU
STATE COVID-19 RESPONSE.

28TH MARCH, 2020

1. Gentlemen of the Press, I welcome you to this press briefing this afternoon.
2. As you are aware, the Plateau State Government has been up and doing in ensuring that it adequately prepares against the COVID-19 disease
3. You will also recall that the Plateau State Government set up a Task Force on COVID-19 Response Chaired by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, ExecutiveGovernor of Plateau State
4. As of now, we have no recorded case of the disease in Plateau State.
5. In order to ensure that we prevent any case from coming into the State, Government has rolled out measures including shutting of markets; ban on festivals; restriction of gatherings to not more than 50 people; Ban on weekly Sunday markets at Ahmadu Bello Way, Bukuru and environs; closure of night clubs and drinking joints etc.
6. We have appraised the situation about compliance to the directives and you will recall that the Chairman of the Task Force, His Excellency further directed the full enforcement of the orders issued.
7. As of yesterday Friday 27th March 2020, there is substantial compliance and the Government commends the good and peace loving citizens of Plateau State who have adhered to the directives.
8. However, the government takes exception to the nonchalance and flagrant disregard of the directives by some individuals and groups who have remained recalcitrant. They have also mobilised their followers to disobey the orders of Government, which is meant to protect the lives of the people.
9. Let me categorically make it clear that nobody is above the law and government is taking necessary action.
10. In line with the directive of Government for full implementation of compliance, the Governor has asked Security agencies to take the necessary measures on such persons.
11. Further measures taken include the following:

a. Tricycles will no longer take more than 1 passenger

b. Saloon cars will only take 4 passengers including the driver

c. The Government has set up a COVID-19
Eradication Fund, which the organised private sector and well-spirited members of the public can contribute into. The essence of it is to take care of the vulnerable and some social challenges arising from the situation. Details will be issued later.

d. Effective Sunday 29th
March 2020, there will be prohibition of vehicular movement into Plateau State from all border entry routes from 6pm to 7am. All people coming into Plateau State should note and take note of this and prepare their trips to avoid unnecessary
inconveniences.

1. We want to appeal to members of the public to continue to cooperate with the
   Government as we work together to ensure that we protect the lives of our
   people.
2. We thank you the members of the media for supporting us and we count on you to continue to do your part.

Prof. Danladi Abok Atu
Secretary to Government of the State & Coordinating Secretary, Plateau State COVID-19 Task Force
28th March 2020.

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COVID-19: Plateau Govt Restricts Vehicular Movement to State from All Borders Entry Points from 6pm to 7am, Tricycles to Carry 1 Passenger Only