COVID-19: Lockdown Looms As FG Puts Six States, FCT On Red Alert

Lockdown is looming in Nigeria over a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is coming after the Federal Government put six States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on red alert at the weekend.

There has been rising cases of infections and hospitalization in the country after Delta Variant of COVID-19 was announced detected in some parts of the country.

A statement by Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, announced the states under watch as: Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the FCT.

The PSC, however, warned that all states of the Federation should heighten their state of preparedness and continue to enforce all protocols put in place, given the renowned greater ease of spread of the Delta variant.

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“These steps are critical as we begin to see worrisome early signs of increasing cases in Nigeria.

“The PSC shall continue to minimize the risk of importation of Variants of Concern into the country by strengthening Surveillance at all Points of Entry (POE), enforcing extant quarantine protocols and sustaining the current restrictive measures against travelers arriving from India, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.”

While felicitating with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the PSC chairman however, urged all state governments and religious leaders to be mindful of the potential for wider spread of the virus during large gatherings.

He said: “The PSC, therefore, recommends the following preventive measures for a safe Eid-el-Kabir celebration: Decentralization of Eid Prayer to neighborhood Friday Prayer Mosques (outdoor); Suspension of Durbar activities; and Observation of limitations on all Indoor gatherings.

“Nigerians and all Residents are reminded to stay safe, always”, he said in the statement.