By Olukayode Idowu, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has hinted that the state may have to call off the lockdown imposed to battle the spread of COVID-19 on Wednesday evening.
The lockdown imposed on the state is set to expire on Wednesday evening and going by what the governor told religious leaders it may not be extended.
The Governor who met with the leaders of the two major religions at a separate meetings at the Government House in Maiduguri on Monday, said government decided to relax the lockdown due to difficulties faced by residents who mostly rely on subsistence farming and petty businesses for survival.
He said the call off would enable residents move out daily to meet their needs.
Zulum urged the religious leaders who comprised the Imans , Ulamas and representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) to go back, make consultations and advise the government on how churches and mosques should operate during the period of COVID-19.
He said even though government might call off the lockdown, stringent measures would be put in place to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic among communities.
“If we relax the lockdown, should people be allowed to fill up the mosques and churches, how do we maintain social distancing while practicing our religions. We are giving you people the window to advise us on what to do. “Make consultations among yourselves before you come up with solutions to be presented to the government by Wednesday,” Zulum urged the Muslim and Christian leaders at the meeting.