The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the complete closure of the country’s land borders for the next month as part of measures to curb the escalating spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
This was announced by Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force for the Control of Covid-19, at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), also “strongly advised” residents of Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to stay at home pending when it is a safe time to move out.
The directives by the Federal Government comes after the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases rose to 36 as at Monday, with one fatality confirmed.
The government had ordered the partial closure of the borders to goods in September 2019 in order to tackle smuggling and other vices. However, Mustapha declared that the directive, which he said was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, mandates a proper lockdown of the borders to both human and vehicular movements.
“All land borders that have been hitherto under partial closure shall now be closed for human traffic for four weeks effective, 23rd March, 2020,” Mustapha said.
There have been worries over the porous level of security at the borders, especially as one of the confirmed cases was reportedly seen biking along the Lagos-Seme border, as well as the country’s ability to contain the virus if it becomes a full-blown pandemic.
Regarding the restriction of movement, Mustapha said the Federal Government had made Lagos and the FCT a priority because of their population, mobility and number of cases already reported.
“All Abuja and Lagos residents are strongly advised to stay at home, avoid mass congregation of any kind as well as non-essential outings, until further advice is given,” Mustapha said.
Out of the 36 confirmed Coronavirus cases reported in Nigeria as at 9pm on Monday, Lagos State has the highest number of cases with 25, followed by the FCT with six.
The Lagos State Government had earlier restricted public gatherings to a maximum of 20 people. The state tried to enforce the directive over the weekend.
