It has been knee-jerk response galore as Coronavirus takes centrestage in Nigeria, as in other parts of the world.
Many decisions that should have been taken days and weeks before were jettisoned, but the authorities have now suddenly seen the light as to why many citizens where calling for such steps like the banning of flights from certain countries, closing of schools and others.
TRAVEL ADVICE
Nigerians are strongly advised against non-essential travel to high incidence countries i.e. countries with over 1,000 cases domestically. All returning travellers from foreign countries are required to self-isolate for 14-days. The NCDC has disseminated information on the practice of self-isolation.
Travellers returning from high risk countries will be actively followed-up for 14 days by the NCDC and Port Health Services.
The Port Health Services of the Federal Ministry of Health has heightened screening measures at points of entry (Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and FCT). In addition to automated temperature screening at points of entry, travellers are given a contact form to fill and asked questions upon arrival about symptoms of illness and travel history. The NCDC is also working with the Nigerian Customs Services to enhance surveillance at land borders to prevent further importation of the disease.
TRAVELLERS TO NIGERIA
• Travellers without symptoms on departure who become unwell in transit should self-report immediately to the Port Health Services on arrival
• Travel restrictions have been imposed on travellers to Nigeria from China, Italy, Iran, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, United States of America, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Switzerland
• All travellers returning to Nigeria from any country must self-isolate for 14 days, whether symptomatic or not.
Travellers from high risk countries must:
• Undergo secondary screening at the point of entry
• Self-isolate for 14 days after arrival, even if you do not show symptoms
• Be followed up by NCDC and Port Health Services
Travellers from Nigeria to these countries are advised to avoid contact with sick people.
ADVICE FOR HEALTH WORKERS
Healthcare workers are advised to observe standard infection prevention and control measures when attending to patients and take a travel history. All health workers are strongly advised to maintain a high index of suspicion for COVID-19.
PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE
Federal government has inaugurated a Presidential Task for the control of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, who inaugurated the Task Force on Tuesday, said its composition by President Muhammadu Buhari was necessitated by monitoring of developments around the world on the outbreak of the contagion.
The Task Force has as members the Ministers of Health, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Aviation, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Education, Information, Environment and Minister of State for Health.
Others are the DG DSS, DG National Centre for Disease Control and World Health Organization representative in Nigeria.
The Task Force will also advise the government to declare a national emergency as part of the containment measures when necessary and direct the deployment of any relevant national assets when deemed expedient.
CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS
As part of the preventive measures against the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Lagos State Government is closing down all public and private schools from Monday, 23rd March 2020.The move becomes necessary to prevent children and their teachers from getting more vulnerable to the pandemic.
It is important for parents to ensure that their children practise ‘social distancing’ while at home. Children should be encouraged to remain at home.
The closure is not intended to create panic but to arrest the spread of the disease, which has become a global threat.
The Incident Command Centre, is headed by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the Incident Commander.
