Experts, Nurses differ as Nigerian Government warns of fresh lockdown

The Presidency on Sunday warned Nigerians to continue to observe the guidelines released to curtail further spread of COVID-19 in order to avert fresh lockdown.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in a statement titled, ‘Presidency: Nigerians should comply with mandatory mask wearing to avert lockdowns.’

But the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned against second lockdown, saying government should ensure strict enforcement of protocols.

Nurses on their part said the Federal Government should lock down if cases continued to rise.

The Presidency statement was released on a day opposition Peoples Democratic Party accused President Buhari of allegedly violating the regulations on COVID-19 which he signed last week.

The party said the President violated the regulations about the use of face mask and physical distancing in Daura, Katsina State while participating in the All Progressives Congress membership registration and validation.

But Shehu in his statement on Sunday said the Presidency was worried by reports of non-compliance with the regulations that makes mask wearing and observation of social distancing in the public mandatory.

While appealing to Nigerians to cooperate with the government to ensure the success of the policy, the presidential aide said Buhari introduced the order with the best of intentions and not with any motive to punish citizens.

– Punch