Local: FG to enforce another total lockdown as COVID19 cases increase tremendously

It is worth to note that FG relaxed lockdown as of yesterday. Sequel to this relaxation, coronavirus cases has increased at a very high rate; most of the reason is that the public is not complying with the preventive measures.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the federal government might be forced to implement another lockdown if Nigerians do not comply with social distancing measures, leading to a new explosion of infections.

At the Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19 on Monday, Director-General of the NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said businesses must also join hands to implement the required health measures.

PTF through its Chairman, Mr. Boss Mustapha, stated that close monitoring of activities since Monday morning reveals that the level of compliance is unsatisfactory especially with regards to social distancing, and the use of masks.

Boss Mustapha in his opening remarks specifically noted that the crowds at the banks pose great risks.

Although maintaining that there is a high degree of violation of the guidelines, the PTF chairman stated that there was also no compilation of interstate travel ban, stressing that the evacuation of almajiris from various states does not comply with the guidelines nor obey the ban law.

Mr. Mustapha, who is also the Federation's Secretary of State, has urged regulatory agencies to do their work efficiently and bring in violators to book. He called on security agencies not to take laws into their own, but to carry out their duties with due process.

The NCDC boss said the there was “no doubt” that Monday’s behaviour will result in more infections, but urged the nation to learn from it or return to square one.

Today and tomorrow we may have some extra transmission, but what we don't want is an outbreak in new infections. When we have the new fire, the country's leadership will have almost no choice but to ask us to return to our homes.