Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has announced the extension of the COVID-19 lockdown in the state by 14 days.

Okowa in a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday also imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew across the state, beginning from Wednesday, April 15.

The extension is part of the state’s efforts to curtail the spread of the disease.

He said the two weeks extension of the stay-at-home order is to enable officials to track, identify, isolate and test all who have had contact with the three confirmed cases in the state.

“I hereby extend the stay-at-home order for a period of two weeks. It is for public good and for the interest of our health. And I want to urge all Deltans to please observe the stay-at-home order,” Okowa stated.

Recall that Delta state recorded its first case a week ago. Two others, one of which died, were subsequently recorded in Warri and Asaba, the state’s capital.

Following the renewed lockdown directive, food markets will open only three days, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, in a week. Sellers of toiletries and other essential home needs are to commence sales like the foodstuffs vendors.

However, other existing orders, including shut down of malls, worship centres, offices, remain unchanged.