With the partial Coronavirus Disease (COVID19) lockdown approved by President Muhammadu Buhari now in effect, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to strictly observe the hygiene and safety measures approved by health authorities to avoid contracting the virus.
Reacting to observed incidences of non-compliance in parts of the country, Director General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari lamented that a lot of Nigerians have shown unfortunate disregard for social distancing, use of face masks, stay-at-home order for non-essential workers and other safety measures since the commencement of the partial lockdown. He warned that such risky behaviour could be detrimental to the fight against COVID19 as it could expose many to contracting the virus.
Abari noted that the government and relevant stakeholders have been working tirelessly to contain the virus since the index case was recorded in Nigeria, stressing that such efforts will not yield the desired results if citizens do not take personal responsibility for their protection against the virus by adhering strictly to prescribed guidelines, protocols and precautions.
He said the gradual and phased easing of the lockdown does not warrant carelessness but rather calls for stricter compliance to the guidelines issued by the Presidential Task Force on COVID19 and the
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
(NCDC). He therefore urged Nigerians to strengthen the practice of personal hygiene, especially regular hand washing with soap and water or use of alcohol based hand sanitizers and use of nose masks in public in addition to maintenance of 2 meters distance from other people, refraining from handshakes, abstaining from gatherings of more than 20 persons and not going outdoors unless absolutely necessary.
He also stressed the need for prompt reporting of cases of continuous coughing or sneezing, difficulty in breathing and high temperature to the NCDC for immediate action.
Paul Odenyi
Assistant Director, Press