COVID-19: Lauretta Onochie says lockdown might be extended

- A presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, has said the lockdown imposed by the federal government to contain the spread of COVID-19 might be extended

- Onochie stated that the lockdown might be extended if Nigerians refuse to abide by the current stay at home order

- The presidential aide noted that staying indoors is the best way Nigerians can defeat the coronavirus

The social media aide to the president, Lauretta Onochie, has said the lockdown imposed by the federal government to contain the spread of COVID-19 might be extended if Nigerians refuse to abide by the current stay at home order.

Onochie made the statement on Saturday, April 26, when responding to a question from a twitter user who asked her if the current lockdown might be extended.

The presidential aide in reply said unless Nigerians stay at home now it would be extended and continue to be extended.

She said staying indoors is the best way Nigerians can defeat the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, a report by The Nation indicates that the federal government is not disposed to the call by state governors for the relaxation of the current lockdown in the country over the coronavirus pandemic.

Legit.ng reports that the newspaper said that sources said federal authorities are much in favour of partial restrictions in 33 of the 36 states with a view to mitigating the effects of the current lockdown in many parts of the country as against the relaxation being sought by the governors.

It was gathered that the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 which President Muhammadu Buhari relies on principally for advice on the pandemic is not in agreement with the governors that the government should soft-pedal in the FCT, Lagos, Ogun and Kano states.

The president who is billed to address the nation on Monday, April 27, is said to be weighing the options before him.

Members of the PTF were locked in a marathon meeting on Saturday, April 25, on the format of the partial restrictions to put in place in 33 states without fueling the spread of the coronavirus.

PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet!

The task force considered the status report on COVID-19 spread in each state of the federation, the input of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and local and international technical evaluation of the pandemic in the country.

In another report, a member of the House of Representatives, Muktar Betara, has donated palliatives to his constituents in Biu, Bayo, Kwaya-kusar and Shani local government areas of Borno state.

The palliatives which include truckloads of rice were donated to the people in the four local governments on Friday, April 24.

Betara who represents Bayo, Biu, Shani and Kwaya Kusar in the green chambers, said the palliatives amounting to N80 million were aimed at alleviating their hardship arising from the lockdown ordered by the state government because of COVID-19.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better

Coronavirus: People from other countries are happy, Nigerians are not | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng