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The Nigerian Medical Association NMA has warned state governors against easing the lock-down declared in their various states to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
Meridian Spy had reported earlier that some states in Nigeria had relaxed the COVID-19 lock-down to allow citizens stock up for the Easter celebration, including Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, amongst others. Although some of the states mentioned are yet to record any cases of the diseases.
But in a statement by its president, Francis Faduyile, on Friday, the NMA said it could jeopardise effort made to mitigate the spread of the pandemic as there are now evidence of community transmission of the disease.
NMA stated: “Of particular concern is the declaration by the Cross River State Governor that social distancing is not needed while wearing a face mask.
“A moratorium on the lock down to allow mass gathering in mosques and churches from Friday to Sunday in Rivers; the lifting of the ban on Friday prayers by the Katsina and Kogi governments.
“We are aware that similar orders have also been given in Ondo, Ebonyi and Imo states which have approved mass attendance of Easter services.
“While appreciating the prime place of religion in our national lives and especially the value Christians place on Easter, we place on record that there is now the evidence of community transmission of COVID-19.”
The medical association therefore appealed to authorities to rescind their decision in the interest of the safety of lives and implored the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to ensure that such gatherings do not take place.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control NCDC reports that, ‘as at 09:30 pm 10th April, there are 305 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria. 58 have been discharged with 7 deaths.
