We don’t think the gradual lockdown ease is a mistake

We don’t think the gradual lockdown ease is a mistake – NCDC

Admin May 5, 2020

DG NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, says it relies on Nigerians to take responsibility for their health as we continue to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

The NCDC in a series of tweets on Tuesday noted that until we have a vaccine for COVID-19, we should focus on limiting transmission of the virus Microbe through measures such as: Physical distancing and the use of face masks.

“We knew this day would come, we don’t think the gradual lockdown ease is a mistake. As we continue to intensify efforts to contain #COVID19Nigeria, we rely on Nigerians to #TakeResponsibility for their health”, the NCDC stated.

Recall that the Director General of the Centre, Chikwe Ihekweazu during the daily Presidential Task Force press briefing on COVID-19 on Monday noted that the FG might be forced to implement another lockdown if Nigerians do not comply with social distancing measures, leading to a new explosion of infections.

“Initial reports are not too pleasing across the country,” Dr. Ihekweazu said of the lockdown compliance.

“So there’s only so much we can do,” he said, “we can produce all the guidelines in the world, we can preach, hold press conferences, but if organisations are not going to support the implementation of these measures and help us manage the risk . . . how do we want to manage and mitigate the risk of exposure, the risk of transmission?”

The NCDC boss said the there was “no doubt” that Monday’s behaviour will result in more infections, but urged the nation to learn from it or return to square one.

“Yes, we knew today would be a problem,” he said. “Everybody here knew today would be a problem because for the first time people were let out of their homes.

“Yes, we might have a few extra transmission today and tomorrow, but what we don’t want is an explosion of new infections. If we do have that new explosion, there would be almost no choice for the leadership of the country than to ask everybody to go back into our homes.”