Governor Simon Lalong, who gave the directive in a broadcast on the Corona Virus pandemic, said only workers on essential services such as security, media, health, street cleaners and water supply and energy are exempted.
On market activities, the Governor said only traders selling food items, pharmaceuticals and cooking gas are exempted, while street trading, hawking and begging are prohibited.
He said social joints, night clubs, drinking parlours are to close effective today Wednesday 25th, while restaurants are advised to prepare take away packs for their customers to avoid overcrowding.
The Weekly State executive council is also suspended indefinitely, with the council to consult and meet digitally.
Governor Lalong said he will set up a task force on enforcement and monitoring which he will head, to coordinate, evaluate and review developments of the disease in the State.
With the financial difficult now faced due to the pandemic, Governor Lalong said recurrent expenditure other than salaries and pensions will be cut by 40%.
Similarly, the process of fresh employment, implementation of new minimum wage,funding of ongoing projects will be affected in the interim, with the allowances of all Political office holders slashed by 50%.
Governor Lalong advised citizens and and visitors coming into the state, who have just returned from overseas trips and who had any contact with any confirmed cases to self isolate themselves for 14days.
He called on the people to always stay at home and only go out when necessary.
