The National Executive Council has called on Nigerians to adhere to all COVID19 protocols especially during the yuletide season and avoid activities or behavior that may aggravate the situation and necessitate another lockdown.
This followed the briefing received on the coronavirus disease pandemic in Nigeria at a meeting chaired the Vice President,Yemi Osinbajo which indicated with serious concern the increasing number of cases in many States across the country.
NEC is alarmed that the current trends are now approaching or surpassing the levels reached during the lockdown imposed at the height of the epidemic earlier in the year.
The Council said the increase has been exacerbated by people’s non-compliance with laid down health guidelines such as the wearing of masks, social distancing, and hand washing.
NEC, therefore, wishes to reemphasize the importance of these measures. ” Particularly as we approach the end of the year and the social gatherings associated with the holiday season, we must avoid activities or behavior that may aggravate the situation and necessitate another lockdown.
According to the NEC, which is populated with all 36 state governors, ” The trends also show that more and more younger people are getting infected. While many of the young victims may be asymptomatic or recover without serious illness, they pass the virus to older and more vulnerable people, especially people with pre-existing health conditions, who develop serious illnesses and may easily lose their lives in the process.
” Sadly, the country is now experiencing a huge resurgence of COVID-19 patients needing intensive care and the existing health facilities are fast becoming overwhelmed.”
Members of the Council, therefore, resolved to enlarge its current COVID-19 Ad-Hoc Committee led by the Governor of Delta State, and further mandates the Committee to URGENTLY consider and propose additional measures to manage the current situation.
Also NEC firmly resolves to advocate rigorous and strict enforcement of the non-pharmaceutical interventions such as restriction on all physical gathering, enforcement on the use of face mask at workplaces,shops every where, carrying out teperature checks among others
” The continued spread of COVID-19 puts increased pressure on our already fragile health systems and threaten Nigeria’s economy. Traditional, social and religious leaders are therefore urged to play their own part by promptly taking responsible and decisive actions to help stop the spread and upsurge of the virus in Nigeria.”
Members of the National Economic Council also commiserated with families of the Kankara schoolboys who were abducted by terrorists in Katsina State while also consoling with the entire people and government of the State
