COVID-19: The second lockdown is a last resort, says the Nigerian Government

According to report, the chairman of the task force told a press briefing on Thursday, December 17, stated that the resurgence of the COVID-19 was a cause for concern. 

New information indicates that Nigerians are faced with the prospects of entering a second lockdown if the rise in COVID-19 cases continues unchecked. 

Meanwhile, the update of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control for Thursday, December 17, indicated that the nation recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 cases ever since the outbreak of the pandemic. 

The National Economic Council (NEC) said another lockdown will be the last resort in the wake of the second wave of the disease.

NEC which is chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the disclosure after a virtual meeting on Thursday, December 17. One of the attendees of the meeting, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state told the press that Nigerians need to abide by the COVID-19 protocols to avoid the shutdown of the economy. 

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He said: “And for that, states were advised to go back and emphasis the implementation or the enforcement of some of the protocols that we have earlier started in the first phase. Otherwise, we have to resort to the last aspect, of course everybody knows, going back to lockdown again which is not anybody’s doing." 

A statement issued by the office of the vice president described Nigeria’s current coronavirus situation as alarming. Similarly, the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 said its earlier decision to reopen the economy may have to be reviewed. 

Mustapha who is currently in isolation was represented at the briefing by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.