By Emeka Alex Duru
Concerned about the increase in number of confirmed cases and deaths being reported across the world and in Nigeria specifically on account of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the President, Muhammadu Buhari, has extended the lockdown on Lagos, Ogun and the federal Capital Territory by another two weeks. The President had in an earlier address on Sunday, March 29 imposed the restriction on the affected states and Abuja for an initial period of fourteen days starting from Monday, 30th March 2020, as part of measures to contain the pandemic.
At the expiration of the first phase of the lockdown, he extended the action for another two weeks, citing advice by health authorities and evidences or rising cases of the disease. He lamented the rise in the figure of Nigerians affected by the pandemic from 131 with two fatalities, as at March 30, to 323 with 10 fatalities by April 13.
Buhari extolled the efforts of the various segments of the society in keeping the rate of the spread of the disease at relatively manageable rate. He also acknowledged the salutary effects of some of the measures put in place to check the spread of the pandemic. In his words, “Today, the cessation of movement, physical distancing measures and the prohibition of mass gatherings remain the most efficient and effective way of reducing the transmission of the virus. By sustaining these measures, combined with extensive testing and contact tracing, we can take control and limit the spread of the disease”.
Nigeria’s approach to the virus, he said, remains in two steps – First, to protect the lives of the citizens and residents living in the country and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners. .
“With this in mind and having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020”, Buhari stated in his nationwide address on Monday, April 13.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance to the guidelines on containing the disease across the country, stressing, “As a nation, we are on the right track to win the fight against COVID-19”.
He expressed concern on the difficulties the extension would impact on the citizens and pledged to strengthen various interventionist measures put in place by the government to cushion the effects of the lockdown on the most vulnerable members of the society.
