The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu , has warned that Presient Muhammadu Buhari could restore the total lockdown in the country if the guidelines for the gradual reopening were no complied with and there is a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
Ihekweazu, who stated this during the task force press briefing in Abuja, also disclosed that a review of compliance with the guidelines across the country showed that it was not satisfactory.
The President had, on March 30 , imposed a two – week lockdown on the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states , but at the expiration of the first lockdown on April 13 , he extended it by another 14 days .
In his broadcast to the nation on April 27 , Buhari said phased and gradual easing of the lockdown would begin on May 4 ( yesterday ). He also imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on the nation.
Besides banning interstate movements, the President imposed a total lockdown on Kano State , which had witnessed a spike in COVID- 19 cases.
Guidelines on gradual reopening of the economy issued by the PTF a few days after the presidential address mandate anyone in public spaces to use non – medical face masks.
They also prohibit interstate travels , apart from for essential services. The guidelines ban gathering of more than 20 people outside of a workplace.
Commercial vehicles are only allowed to operate outside the curfew hours and should practise social distancing in the number of their passengers.
