By Zayamu Hassan
The Nigeria’s Federal Government has imposed a nationwide curfew to further limit the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.
The National Incident Manager, Dr Mukhtar Mohammed, made this known at the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja on Monday.
He said the curfew, which will be from 12 am to 4 am would take effect from midnight on Monday, May 10, 2021.
He said night clubs, gyms and others would remain closed till further notice.
According to him, gatherings of religious groups and weddings, among others, have been reduced to 50 per cent attendance, while official engagements, meetings, and conferences should continue to hold virtually.
“Further to this recommendation and effective from 00:01hours on Tuesday, 11th May 2021, this phase 4 of the first restriction of movement shall come into effect.
“We shall maintain restrictions on mass gatherings outside work setting with a maximum of 50 persons in any enclosed space. Approved gatherings must be held in physical distancing measures and other none pharmaceutical measures in place,” Dr Mohammed said.
He further explained that the PSC had on April 26, took a precautionary step by restricting travel from three countries, Brazil, India and Turkey, where it observed high incidences of cases, high mortality rate and wide spread prevalence of evidence of concern.
He said: “The PSC continuous to enforce the surveillance system at the countries ports of entry. While our vaccine roll out has begun, there is a shortage in global supplies affected by the current situation in India.
“There are concerns about the none compliance to public health and social measures which are contained in the health protection regulation 2021, specifically the level of adherence to the use of face mask, physical distancing, temperature checks in public spaces, hand washing and limitation of space to large gathering remain very poor. In some areas, these are even none existent.
“In line with increasing risk of a surge in cases, the PSC is therefore maintaining the enforcement of the COVID-19 health protection regulation.
“This is to mitigate the risk of a spike in new cases while the nationwide vaccine rollout continues. The national response continues to maintain a balance between preserving lives and livelihood while warming for a long term epidemic control.”
Earlier, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, advised Nigerians to avoid all situations that will tempt them to forget COVID-19 preventive measures and life saving non-pharmaceutical measures as they celebrate the Sallah.
He, however, vowed that the federal government shall continue to strengthen its preparedness, especially as it relates to Points of Entry and our case treatment centres, to coordinate response pillars and other agencies in preparation against a COVID-19 surge already being experienced in other countries.
“We are stockpiling PPEs, laboratory reagents and other commodities, placing order for drugs additional oxygen cylinders of various sizes, embarking on staff training, on repair of oxygen plants all over the country, with plans to build new oxygen plants, while examining our logistics for national oxygen and commodity supply chain.
“As we approach the Sallah holidays, it is of particular importance to remain aware of risks involved in traveling gathering, celebrating and generally letting down our guards,” the minister said.
He, therefore, urged all Nigerians to take responsibility for their personal and their family’s safety from COVID-19 infection.
