By Audrey Lotechukwu
THUR, APRIL 16 2020-theG&BJournal- The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has warned of the health consequences of flouting the lockdown order imposed as response measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
‘’This is not the time to relax any lockdown. A state has gone from one index case in under one week to 21 confirmed cases. So it is a serious issue. It is not a joking matter and this is not the time to play any game,’’ the SGF said today during the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja.
According to the SGF, the quarantine act signed by President Muhammadu Buhari has direct bearing on Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states, ‘’so we have responsibility to ensure that the lockdown in these three locations are effective and geared towards producing the desired results and objectives for which the extension is granted.’’
‘’It is only our collective resolve as a country that can help us deal with this pandemic. So I will continue to emphasise the fact that we have one national response, and scientifically proven, the only way you can drastically reduce transmission is through the lockdown.
Once people don’t come in contact with each other we will be able to trace those that have appeared on our radar as persons of interest, follow them up, track them, if need be test them. If they are positive we take them into isolation, remove them from co-habiting with other people that are not infected and give them the appropriate care.
But as long as we are doing business as usual- people gathering together and partying, we should be prepared to deal with consequences of our actions.’’
The SGF also spoke to the synergy between the COVID-19 Task Force, the Federal Government and the State Governors. According to him; ‘’We are working in collaborative manner with states all over the federation. I have been in contact with them through the governors’ forum. Everyone in leadership for this fight has been discussing synergy and how to harmonise the response so that there will be one national response. The governors that have taken bold steps in locking down their states must be commended.’’
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