COVID-19: Again, FG Speaks On Declaring Nationwide Lockdown

The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed news circulating on social media that it was planning to impose fresh lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), also Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, made the clarification in a statement signed by Mr. Willie Bassey, Director Information in his office.

The SGF urged Nigerians to disregard the news circulating online, adding that no meeting has been held to discuss imposing another lockdown.

He also advised Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government to contain the spread of the virus by adhering to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI’s) as recommended by PTF.

“The attention of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has been drawn to some misinformation circulating on the social media to the effect that the Federal Government is contemplating another lockdown this weekend,” the SGF said.

“The PTF wishes to state categorically that there is no such consideration at any of its meetings, nor has any recommendation been made to this effect to the President.

“The PTF frowns at such unpatriotic misinformation which is capable of causing unnecessary panic and anxiety among the populace.”

Naija News reports that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Thursday night, January 14 confirmed one thousand four hundred and seventy-nine (1,479) new cases of COVID-19.

The newly reported cases bring the total cases of the novel virus to 105,478 in Nigeria since its outbreak in February last year.

NCDC reports that it has discharged a total of 83,830 patients while 1,405 people have died of the dreaded disease.