Coronavirus: FG Issues Strong Warning To States Lifting Ban On Religious, Social Gathering

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has warned states lifting coronavirus lockdown to check the consequences of their decisions.

KanyiDaily recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari had on May 4, 2020, relaxed the five-week lockdown he imposed in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja.

He, however, appealed to all the states in the country to adopt measures to check the spread of the coronavirus by restriction of movement and public gathering.

But in the last 48 hours, several states including Borno, Ebonyi, Gombe, Enugu and Adamawa have lifted the ban religious gathering.

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Speaking at the briefing on COVID-19 on Friday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha advised those who have done so to weigh the consequences of their action.

“​In providing leadership for the fight against this pandemic, Mr. President did encourage state governments to adapt national guidelines as suitable to their state and expects that such adaptation should be informed by empirical evidence of progress made,” he said.

“The PTF, therefore, urges states that are lifting restrictions which allows for large congregation of people to weigh their consequences in relation to creating opportunities for more seeding of the virus thereby negating gains already made.”

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Nigeria currently has 5,445 confirmed cases of coronavirus spread across 35 states. A total of 1,320 patients have been discharged, while 171 have died from the virus.