FG announces extension of airport closure amid rise in coronavirus spread
- The closure of Nigerian international airports in the country has been extended by two weeks
- Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, disclosed this in a tweet on Monday, April 20
- It would be recalled that the international airports were all closed as part of efforts by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19
The federal government on Monday, April 20, announced the extension of the closure of international airports in the country by two weeks as parts of measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
This was disclosed by the minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, via his Twitter handle @hadisirika.
Sirika said that due to the extension of the president's lockdown directive it is no longer possible for airspace and airports to be opened for commercial operations by Thursday, April 23.
Despite the closure of borders and airports, the number of infected coronavirus patients across the country continues to rise as new cases are being announced daily by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
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Legit.ng previously reported that as the number of the confirmed coronavirus cases in Nigeria surged to 22 on Saturday, March 21, the federal government shut Nigeria's international airports in Lagos and Abuja.
The Nigerian government barred international flights from coming into Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja, effective from Monday, March 23.
In a related development, the United Kingdom government has organised another flight to airlift its citizens out of Nigeria as the world struggles against coronavirus.
The foreign government made this known in a tweet it made on Monday, April 20, as it wished the travellers a safe journey back to their families. Checking-in of the travellers took place at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos state.
Meanwhile, the director-general of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, has informed Nigerians that life won’t return to normal after COVID-19 pandemic.
Ihekweazu stated this while speaking on a radio programme in Lagos on Monday, April 20. He said that a return to the pre-COVID lifestyle, once the current restrictions are relaxed, could bring about a high resurgence of the infection.
Similarly, the 28-day lockdown announced by President Muhammadu Buhari in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is supported by a majority of Nigerians, a poll has shown.
The poll which was conducted by Legit.ng on social media shows that the lockdown efforts by the government have the support of more Nigerians.
The question asked in the poll is: With 21 people dead and confirmed COVID-19 cases now 627, should the government still lift the lockdown after this one is over or extend it?
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Source: Legit.ng