The federal government said Thursday that relaxing the current lockdown imposed in various parts of the country to contain the spread of COVID-19 disease would result in dire consequences.
This was disclosed by the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Novel Coronavirus and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, at the daily press briefing.
He said the situation in Kano state from one index case to fatality of having 21 confirmed cases indicates the country needs tighter movement restrictions to fight the spread of COVID-19 disease.
“This is not the time to relax any lockdown. A state has gone from one index case to 21. So, it is a serious business please. It is not a joking matter and this is not the time to play any game. It is only our collective resolve as a country that can help us deal with this pandemic.
“I will continue to emphasis the fact that we have one national response, and scientifically proven, the only way that you can drastically reduce transmission is through the lockdown.
“Once people don’t come in contact with each other, we will be able trace those that have appeared on our radar as persons of interest, follow them up, track them, if need be test them, if possible take them into isolation, move them from cohabiting with other people that are not infected and give them the appropriate care.
“But as long as we allow business as usual, people getting together, partying, then we should be prepared to deal with the consequences of our actions. I will continue to make this passionate appeal that given this two weeks, I must commend the governors that have taken bold steps in locking down their states so that the needful will be done.
“The Quarantine Act signed by Mr. President has direct bearing on Abuja, Lagos and Ogun, so we have responsibility to ensure that this lockdown in these three locations are effective and geared towards producing the desired result for which the extension is granted,” he said.
The SGF also called on garment industries in the country to go into mass production of masks.
“Let me also encourage all our garment factories and tailors all over the nation that this is the time to start producing locally, using our local fabrics, the Ankara, the leather and all other materials that we have.
“The advise is that as much as possible, we should wear our masks whenever we are outside our homes, that way, we’ll reduce the chances, in addition to other necessary things that you need to do, of infection or infecting others,” he said.
Also speaking, National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, inter-states travels are escalating community transmission of the disease, especially the mass smuggling of people out of Lagos state in trucks.
He appealed to Nigerians to take the lockdown order by the federal government and some states seriously, stressing that the success of the fight against spread of the disease in the country depends largely on how much attention and respect the public give to the guidelines issued by government.
He also called on the distributors of palliative materials to observe basic health and safety protocols, and work with local authorities to make the processes orderly and less-hazardous.
“We have noticed that community spread is now being traced to people traveling across state borders. We need to try and restrict our movements in order to stop the spread of this Coronavirus infection, this is particularly pertinent with regards to the news of people being smuggled in trucks out of Lagos.
“I will like to highlight the need for donors to safeguard life and basic health protocols during the distribution of palliatives within local communities. It is important that they maintain health and safety, the rise of aggressive behaviour and non-conformity to physical distancing is unacceptable and a major risk to our communities. It is serious public safety concern.
“I enjoin donors to work closely with local authorities and to ensure that the mass gathering restrictions and the physical distancing guidance that we have given is abided by,” he said.
He urged donors to ensure that items and resources being donated are relevant to the needs of the people and that the goods being donated are not below standards.He also stressed the need to ensure acquisition of standard supplies by state governments, especially the issue of procuring protective gears for the frontline healthcare workers in their states.