COVID-19: Niger orders stay-at-home for civil servants to stave off second wave

The Niger State Government has directed all civil servants to stay at home from Monday, December 21, 2020. This move is in a bid to avert the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic following an increase in the number of cases recorded in the state recently. In a statement by the Head of Service, Salamatu Abubakar, on Thursday, workers were advised to stay at home till further notice. The directive, however, excludes workers on essential services. Governor Abubakar Bello had on November 9, 2020, announced that he tested positive for COVID-19, but recovered on November 16, 2020. Niger State has recorded 329 cases of COVID-19, with 12 deaths in 17 local government areas.