The federal government yesterday allayed fears of a fresh lockdown of the country in view of the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who featured on a Radio Nigeria programme, “Politics Nationwide,’’ said the directives and position of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 at its briefing on Monday did not translate to partial or total lockdown as reported in some sections of the media.
He explained that a lockdown might have negative effects on the already stressed economy.
Mohammed said what the federal government had done was to reduce the chances of mass gathering by directing its workers from Level 12 and below to work from home.
He said the government also reiterated already existing ban on night clubs and other COVID-19 protocols.
“The federal government has not declared a fresh lockdown.
“What we have done is that we have simply reiterated the old protocols and asked federal workers on Level 12 and below to stay at home and they will still receive their salaries.
“Lagos State has equally asked their Level 14 workers and below to work from home and Kaduna State has done the same.
“Therefore, there is no fresh lockdown and the issue of hardship and economy meltdown does not arise,’’ he said.
According to him, the government’s reminder that the ban on social gathering is still in force and churches and mosques should obey the social gathering rules is to curtail people from gathering because COVID-19 has reached the level of community transmission.
Mohammed said the protocols on foreign travels subsist to the effect that those travelling to Nigeria would not be able to come on board unless they have the certificate that they tested negative for the virus.
He said when they arrive into the country, they must self-isolate for seven days after which they would go back for a confirmation test.
