Yusuf Bello| The Presidency has warned that a fresh lockdown could only be averted if Nigerians continue to observe the prescribed guidelines to curtail further spread of COVID-19.
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, who stated this in a statement on Sunday, urged Nigerians to comply with mandatory mask-wearing to avert lockdowns, as the Presidency was worried by reports of non-compliance with the regulations that make mask-wearing and observation of social distancing in the public mandatory.
The presidency further appealed to state governments, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to play active roles in the sensitisation and enforcement of the regulations.
“The Buhari administration is most reluctant to lock down the country and continues to emphasise the non-pharmaceutical measures, and the only way to avert lockdowns is to observe these measures as put in place by the Presidential Task Force, the statement read.
“Nigerians have come a long way from the dreaded lockdown and the administration is unhappy about any prospects of bringing it back as many citizens will not have food on the table without venturing out on a day-to-day business.
“Nigerians are required to wear masks, wash hands regularly with soap and clean water, and keep a safe distance with anybody not in your household, hoping that this will help check the spread of COVID-19.
“Though vaccine availability is within reach, the propensity of the public for noncompliance weakens the fight against the virus.
“Nigerians must ignore baseless conspiracy theories that seek to deny the reality of the pandemic by complying with the order to wear masks.”
The statement reminded Nigerians that they have a duty to protect themselves and others in this difficult global health crisis, adding that “no one has immunity against this pandemic. Ignoring health warnings and refusing to comply with safety measures does more harm than good.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is a major threat to public health and wearing of masks, social distancing in public places and the basic hygiene are necessary measures that have to be taken to safeguard the well-being of our citizens.”
“Protecting public health is one of the sacred duties of any responsible government and the administration will not abdicate that responsibility,” the statement concluded.
The presidencys’ warning came a day after the opposition Peoples Democratic Party accused President Muhammadu Buhari of violating the regulations on COVID-19 which he signed last week in Daura, Katsina State while participating in the All Progressives Congress membership registration and validation.
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