Lalong Orders Executive Council Members To Undergo COVID19 Test, As Commissioner Confirms Positive

The Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has directed members of the State Executive Council to undergo test for COVID-19 and thereafter isolate beginning today, 1st July, 2020.

Dan Manjang, Commissioner, Information and Communication,Plateau State who disclosed this said the move follows the fact that a member of the State Executive Council and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Abe Aku tested positive for the virus after he carried out the test.

Based on the Governor’s directive specimens of the Commisioners are to be taken and forwarded to the COVID-19 Laboratory at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom for testing.

During the period and pending the outcome of the results members of the public are advised to be guided by unnecessary visits to members of the State Executive Council while they isolate.

This action is to not only prevent possible spread of the disease, but also show leadership by example.
It could be recalled that Governor Lalong and his family carried out the test earlier where all of them tested negative.

The Governor has also continued to speak against stigmatization saying that COVID-19 is not a death sentence and only continuous testing will reveal the rate of infection and facilitate treatment to save lives.

The Governor hopes that by this act, members of the public will be more encouraged to make themselves available for testing, while at the same time obeying the COVID-19 protocols of wearing face masks, social distancing, hand washing and the use of alcohol based sanitizers.

Government also uses this opportunity to remind the public that the enforcement of orders issued by the Governor will continue and those found violating will be arrested and prosecuted.