In a bid to curtail and control the spread of the raging Coronavirus in Nigeria, the Federal government has imposed new bans and restrictions.
This is coming following the spike in the number of cases and fatalities in Brazil, India and Turkey.
The federal government has reintroduced restrictions on mass Gatherings of religious groups, weddings etc to 50 percent capacity and attendance.
The ban and restrictions was announced on Monday 10th May 2021 by the the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC) to take effect from 11th May 2021.
The curfew from midnight to 4am has been introduced as well.
The National Incident Manager, Mukhtar Mohammed, who announced this said effective from today, event centres, pubs, night clubs, as well as recreational venues throughout the country should remain closed till further notice.
While encouraging official engagements, meetings and conferences to continue to hold virtually.
Military personnel are to monitor and enforce adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions on public transport, that is wearing face masks and maintaining social distance.
It has also appealed to state governments to enforce the guidelines with violators made to appear before mobile courts and pay fines.
Mohammed said:
“These measures are to enable the government to effectively prevent and control a resurgence of an acute phase of this pandemic, continue to strengthen our public health systems and protect the lives of Nigerians and our economy.
“It is believed that these steps will help consolidate the gains made, so far, and position our country to effectively overcome the pandemic going forward.
“The Presidential Steering Committee has made this recommendations in line with established thematic areas of movement, industry, labour, and community activities.
“The nationwide curfew will be imposed tonight at midnight and will run through till 4am.
No more restrictions of movement within the country, given the risk that citizens are encouraged to refrain from non essential movement, and comply with NPIS guidelines.
People who are aged 60 years and above and with co-morbidities are strongly urged to stay at home and avoid crowds.
Mukhtar Mohammed of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) told reporters in Abuja that, despite existing travel restrictions on Brazil, India and Turkey, there was a need to take urgent action.
This is due, he said, to Nigerians’ non-compliance with the safety and health guidelines in place.
The beefed-up measures are designed “to mitigate the risk of a spike in new cases while the nationwide vaccine rollout continues,” Mohammed
Nigeria had imposed restrictions and lockdowns in March last year to curb the spread of the coronavirus.