The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, has explained why the lockdown measure should not be relaxed amid efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), had on March 29 ordered a lockdown of the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states for 14 days to curb COVID-19 spread. Many states had also followed suit.

But as the number of COVID-19 cases increased, the President on April 13 extended the lockdown for 14 more days.

As of the time of filing this report, the coronavirus had spread to 26 states and the FCT, with 1,095 cases recorded across the country by the NCDC. While 208 patients had been discharged, 32 had died.

The new cases were 80 in Lagos, 21 in Gombe, five in FCT, two each in Zamfara and Edo, and one each in Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna and Sokoto states.

Speaking on Friday at a media briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said it was not yet time to relax the lockdown.

He noted that although the lockdown was having negative effects on the economy as it was impeding Nigerians’ ability to go about their daily activities, he said it was vital to be patient and endure the lockdown further to ensure a safe and healthy society when the economy would be reopened.

“Everybody is pushing hard along this direction. We need unprecedented level of caution to continue carrying out the preventive measure that we have advised many times on this platform.

“Many families have not been able to bury their dead, rescheduled their marriages and baptism and everything they are doing. In a way, life is in suspense. Everyone recognises the sacrifice Nigerians have made but we really have to encourage one another to continue to a position where we can relax some of that (lockdown) but until we get to that place, we have to continue in the short term.

“We are working hard to reach a point where we can relax some of these measures but we are not there yet. We ask you to join us to continue this journey with us and amplify these messages that we are giving. We are happy to have the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress here with us today (Friday).”

Ihekweazu added that the citizens must remember that the most vulnerable people were the elderly and people with other illnesses.

“We must protect them. In protecting them, if they are living in the village, leave them there and support them with whatever resources you have. But please, now is not the time to encourage travelling,” he added.

Pension fund won’t be used for COVID-19 –SGF

Meanwhile, at the briefing, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said although the body considered using part of the funds lodged in the Contributory Pension Fund for COVID-19 palliative, it decided not to touch the money after considering the “ravaging” impact of the pandemic on the world economy and health of the people..........

Souce: https://punchng.com/fg-explains-why-lockdown-cant-be-relaxed-as-cases-hit-1095/

This is rubbish!
What has nigeria achieved from the official 4 weeks LOCK-DOWN? Nothing so far. Instead they keep inflating number of "new covid19" cases without concrete evidence, economy is in shambles, people are hungry, high-profile corruption going on in Abuja(burning of gov.offices), EU & UN billions of naira donations to 9ja gov nko? crime rates have increased due to poverty etc.
The LOCK-DOWN is not helping matters. Open the economy, distribute free nose masks & enforce all necessary precautionary measures in all work places so that people can be able to feed themselves PERIOD!!
THE SO-CALLED FG & STATE GOV PALLIATIVES ARE NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT & REALLY DEMEANING. HOW CAN AN ADULT NIGERIAN QUEUE UNDER THE SUN FOR 2 HRS JUST TO RECEIVE A WRAP OF AMALA + A PACK OF SOUP?
NIGERIANS DESERVE BETTER!!

July baby

Let him also explain why they are finding it difficult to share palliatives

Dubai that has 9200 cases are reopening today,

Anyway if they wish to continue , good luck to them

The lockdown is supposed to be curbing the spread of the virus, but reverse is the case here.

Meanwhile lifting the lockdown will give room for income to most Nigerians. Some Nigerians need to function alongside with another country. And following the restriction of movement across the globe, don’t you think it’s a difficult decision to make as some will be be fully functional while some will not.

strafist911:
This is rubbish!
What has nigeria achieved from the official 4 weeks LOCK-DOWN? Nothing so far. Instead they keep inflating number of "new covid19" cases without concrete evidence, economy is in shambles, people are hungry, high-profile corruption going on in Abuja(burning of gov.offices), crime rates have increased due to poverty etc.
The LOCK-DOWN is not helping matters. Open the economy, distribute free nose masks & enforce all necessary precautionary measures in place in all work places so that people can be able to feed themselves PERIOD!!
THE SO-CALLED FG & STATE GOV PALLIATIVES ARE NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT & REALLY DEMEANING. HOW CAN AN ADULT NIGERIAN QUEUE UNDER THE SUN FOR 2 HRS JUST TO RECEIVE A WRAP OF AMALA + A PACK OF SOUP?
NIGERIANS DESERVE BETTER!!