No Fresh Lockdown Over COVID-19 — FG Clarifies

The Federal Government on Tuesday clarified that it has not
declared a fresh lockdown of the country following confirmation of
a second wave of COVID-19.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed
gave this clarification when he featured on a Radio Nigeria
programme, “Politics Nationwide’’, monitored by the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The minister said the directives and position of the
Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 at its briefing on
Monday, did not translate to partial or total lockdown as reported
in some sections of the media.

He allayed the fears of Nigerians and some listeners that
called-in during the programme that a lockdown might have negative
effects on the already stressed economy.

Mohammed explained that what the Federal Government had done was
to reduce the chances of mass gathering by directing its workers
from Level 12 below to work from home.

He said the government also reiterated already existing ban on
night clubs and other COVID-19 protocols.

“The Federal Government has not declared a fresh lockdown.

“What we have done is that we have simply reiterated the old
protocols and asked federal workers on Level 12 and below to stay
at home and they will still receive their salaries.

“Lagos state has equally asked their level 14 workers and below
to work from home and Kaduna state has done the same.

“Therefore, there is no fresh lockdown and the issue of hardship
and economy meltdown does not arise,’’ he said.

The minister said that the government also reminded Nigerians
that the ban on social gathering is still on and Churches and
Mosques should obey the social gathering rules.

He said the directive is to curtail people from gathering
because they found out that COVID had reached level of community
transmission.

Mohammed said the protocols on foreign travels subsist to the
effect that those travelling to Nigeria would not be able to come
on board unless they have the certificate that they tested negative
for the virus.

He said when they arrive into the country, they must
self-isolate for seven days after which they would go back for
confirmation test. (NAN)

The Federal Government on Tuesday clarified that it has not
declared a fresh lockdown of the country following confirmation of
a second wave of COVID-19.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed
gave this clarification when he featured on a Radio Nigeria
programme, “Politics Nationwide’’, monitored by the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The minister said the directives and position of the
Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 at its briefing on
Monday, did not translate to partial or total lockdown as reported
in some sections of the media.

He allayed the fears of Nigerians and some listeners that
called-in during the programme that a lockdown might have negative
effects on the already stressed economy.

Mohammed explained that what the Federal Government had done was
to reduce the chances of mass gathering by directing its workers
from Level 12 below to work from home.

He said the government also reiterated already existing ban on
night clubs and other COVID-19 protocols.

“The Federal Government has not declared a fresh lockdown.

“What we have done is that we have simply reiterated the old
protocols and asked federal workers on Level 12 and below to stay
at home and they will still receive their salaries.

“Lagos state has equally asked their level 14 workers and below
to work from home and Kaduna state has done the same.

“Therefore, there is no fresh lockdown and the issue of hardship
and economy meltdown does not arise,’’ he said.

The minister said that the government also reminded Nigerians
that the ban on social gathering is still on and Churches and
Mosques should obey the social gathering rules.

He said the directive is to curtail people from gathering
because they found out that COVID had reached level of community
transmission.

Mohammed said the protocols on foreign travels subsist to the
effect that those travelling to Nigeria would not be able to come
on board unless they have the certificate that they tested negative
for the virus.

He said when they arrive into the country, they must
self-isolate for seven days after which they would go back for
confirmation test. (NAN)