By Godwin Akor, Makurdi
Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom today disclosed that the state has so far recorded eight cases of COVID-19 with four of the patients discharged.
Ortom who announced the lifting of restrictions on markets, churches and mosques while addressing journalists, said no church service or mosque prayer should last for more than one hour.
He said markets must observe social distancing and the use of face masks, adding that churches and mosques must also observe same along with regular washing of hands
According to him, civil servants would resume work on June 8 and added that all the CIVID-19 protocols laid down by NCDC must be adhered to by the workers below grade level 12.
He said palliatives would be arranged for workers but noted that such. Palliative may not be in form of money and appreciated members of COVID-19 committee, the people of the state and health workers who have been in the frat of the fight against COVID-19.
Governor Ortom who promised that a good agricultural policy would be evolved to suit the post COVID-19 period, said the virus does not respect husband and wife.
He said the Action Committee on COVID-19 would give names of the patients that have not been given to the public so as to ease the tracing of their contacts.
He said gathering of more than 10 persons would not be allowed, pointing out that curfew would still be enforced from 10 pm to 4 am.
Chairman of the COVID-19 Committee, Engr Benson Abounu who is also the deputy governor said over 90 trucks of assorted palliatives were being expected in Benue with the Federal Government, Governor Ortom and a group of donors led by Dangote group of companies giving three trucks, one truck and over 90 trucks respectively.
Abounu said recently, a vehicle loaded with palm oil and 16 persons was intercepted with the vehicle impounded. while the persons have been sent back to their various places.
According to him, three of the persons who were from Niger Republic have equally been sent back to that country wile those from Kano, Baluchi and Benue have been handled in the same manner.
