Governors in Nigeria have unanimously agreed to implement an inter-State lockdown in the country over the next two weeks. The purpose of the lockdown is to mitigate the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic virus from State to State. Only essential services will be available in the lockdown period.
The governors reached the agreement after receiving briefing from the Governors of Lagos, Bauchi, Oyo, and Ogun States who shared their experiences and lessons from the fight against Covid-19.
State governors called for the decentralization of the Covid-19 response as the best chance of nipping the spread of the virus. The virus has spread to over 25 States and there is increasing evidence of community transmission.
Members of the NGF also voiced serious concern over the rising spread of the virus among health workers. They resolved to work with the NCDC to ensure that health workers are provided with personal protective equipment (PPE).
Related: Nigeria extends lockdown in major cities for two weeks
State Commissioners of Health will be in charge of Covid-19 committees set up at the regional level. This will help strengthen the coordinated implementation of necessary public health recommendations across States.
Regional committees will interface with the State Task Force Committees on Covid-19 already established in each State.
President Buhari has previously imposed lockdown in only the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun States. Some of the States have taken similar measures to fight the deadly virus. However, there is currently no nationwide lockdown from the federal government.
As of Wednesday 22 April, Nigeria has 873 confirmed Covid-19 cases with 28 deaths.
