LOCKDOWN: Nigeria extends gradual easing by 2 weeks, Kano full lockdown continues

Precision lockdown imposed on coronavirus hotspots

Nigerian authorities extended the phased easing of lockdown across the country to contain the spread of COVID-19, coronavirus.

The Federal Government announced on Monday it would impose precisely targeted lockdown measures in areas that report rapid increases in cases of the coronavirus, while the phased reopening of the economy as a whole would go ahead more slowly than planned.

Meanwhile, the government has extended a full lockdown in Kano state, where authorities are investigating a spate of mysterious deaths that have not been linked to coronavirus. Kano has the second-highest number of confirmed cases in the country after Lagos.

The government said its phased reopening of strict lockdowns in Lagos, Abuja, and Ogun states would go more slowly than initially planned, and the current phase of gradual reopening would last a further two weeks.

Nigeria had planned to completely ease coronavirus lockdowns in those states over a six-week period from May 4.

“Nigeria is not yet ready for full opening of the economy and tough decisions have to be taken for the good of the greater majority,” said Boss Mustapha, chairman of Nigeria’s presidential task force for COVID-19.

“Any relaxation will only portend grave danger for our populace,” he said.

Also, read MADAGASCAR COVID-ORGANICS: Nigeria must listen to science, says Buhari

Over the past 24 hours, Nigeria has confirmed 338 new cases, its highest daily tally, Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said. Lagos state accounted for 177, with the remainder spread across 17 other states.

Mustapha said the government had identified nine densely populated “high burden” local government areas which could be candidates for “precision” lockdown measures. He did not say where they were located.

Nigeria has imposed a nationwide curfew from 8.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m., ordered people to wear face masks in public and banned travel between states. Mustapha said the country would step up enforcement of these measures.

As of Monday, Nigeria had 5,959 confirmed coronavirus cases and 182 deaths.

Meanwhile,

The COVID-Organics, a traditional formulation against the novel coronavirus, (COVID-19) must be subjected to the processes of scientific verification before being administered on Nigerians.

President Muhammadu Buhari stated this on Saturday when he received samples of the herbal formulation at the Presidential villa on Saturday.

Buhari, who received the drug when he had an audience with President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau who brought along with him the samples of the traditional medicine, as shared to African nations by Madagascar, disclosed that he will listen to science before allowing traditional or any new medicines to be administered on Nigerians.

He said his position on all such herbal or traditional medicinal postulates had remained the same.

“We have our institutions, systems, and processes in the country. Any such formulations should be sent to them for verification. I will not put it to use without the endorsement of our institutions”, the President said.