Nigeria extends coronavirus lockdown in key cities for 2 weeks
Nigeria extends coronavirus lockdown in key cities for 2 weeks
President Muhammadu Buhari says the nation's response to the COVID-19 disease may be a matter of 'life and death'.
https://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/imagecache/mbdxxlarge/mritems/Images/2020/4/13/e93890cbb1b04514b966b1cc52e4a548_18.jpg
13 Apr 2020
'The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable,' Buhari said [Reuters]
'The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable,' Buhari said [Reuters]
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Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has announced a 14-day extension to a lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
In a televised address on Monday, Buhari said "it has become necessary to increase the present restriction of movement" that was set to expire later within the day.
More:
Tracking Africa's coronavirus cases
Coronavirus: Which countries have confirmed cases?
What happens if you catch the new coronavirus?
Initial 14-day lockdowns within the three areas began on March 30.
There are currently 323 confirmed cases of the virus in Nigeria, with 71 percent of them registered in Lagos and therefore the capital territory of Abuja. Ten people have died thus far .
"It may be a matter of life and death," Buhari said of the nation's response. "The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable."
Economic hardship
Nigeria, with 200 million people, is Africa's most populous nation. Some 20 million reside within the megacity of Lagos.
Health experts have raised alarms over the impact of a serious coronavirus outbreak, warning that the country's unprepared and underfunded healthcare system could quickly become overwhelmed.
The extension of the lockdown is predicted to feature to the hardship of many Nigerians living hand-to-mouth, often on but one dollar each day .
Buhari said he was "fully conscious of the good difficulties experienced especially by those that earn a daily wage".
"But despite these realities, we must not change the restrictions," he added.
The government has pledged a series of support measures to ease the financial pain for the foremost vulnerable, but there are widespread complaints that not enough is being finished those facing hunger.
"The overwhelming majority of Nigerians depend upon daily wages, they need to travel bent get money and take out to place it on the table for his or her families," Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris, reporting from the capital, Abuja, said.
"For subsequent fortnight , they're getting to occupy home with no work and no chance of getting money."
Meanwhile, police said on Monday that they were bolstering forces in Lagos and Ogun after almost 200 suspects were arrested amid fears of a spike in crime during the lockdown.
Buhari said compliance with the stay-at-home order and other restrictions introduced by state governors across the country had been "generally good".
But he cautioned that "a large proportion of latest infections are now occurring in our communities".
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES
Nigeria
Coronavirus pandemic
Africa
Have your say.
President Muhammadu Buhari says the nation's response to the COVID-19 disease may be a matter of 'life and death'.
13 Apr 2020
'The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable,' Buhari said [Reuters]
'The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable,' Buhari said [Reuters]
MORE ON NIGERIA
China is Africa's top creditor, but will it lead debt relief?
yesterday
Nigeria COVID-19 survivor: 'An experience i do not wish on anyone'
last week
Nigeria: Nollywood star arraigned for breaching coronavirus rules
last week
Nigeria seeks $6.9bn from lenders to fund coronavirus fight
last week
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has announced a 14-day extension to a lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
In a televised address on Monday, Buhari said "it has become necessary to increase the present restriction of movement" that was set to expire later within the day.
More:
Tracking Africa's coronavirus cases
Coronavirus: Which countries have confirmed cases?
What happens if you catch the new coronavirus?
Initial 14-day lockdowns within the three areas began on March 30.
There are currently 323 confirmed cases of the virus in Nigeria, with 71 percent of them registered in Lagos and therefore the capital territory of Abuja. Ten people have died thus far .
"It may be a matter of life and death," Buhari said of the nation's response. "The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable."
Economic hardship
Nigeria, with 200 million people, is Africa's most populous nation. Some 20 million reside within the megacity of Lagos.
Health experts have raised alarms over the impact of a serious coronavirus outbreak, warning that the country's unprepared and underfunded healthcare system could quickly become overwhelmed.
The extension of the lockdown is predicted to feature to the hardship of many Nigerians living hand-to-mouth, often on but one dollar each day .
Buhari said he was "fully conscious of the good difficulties experienced especially by those that earn a daily wage".
"But despite these realities, we must not change the restrictions," he added.
The government has pledged a series of support measures to ease the financial pain for the foremost vulnerable, but there are widespread complaints that not enough is being finished those facing hunger.
"The overwhelming majority of Nigerians depend upon daily wages, they need to travel bent get money and take out to place it on the table for his or her families," Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris, reporting from the capital, Abuja, said.
"For subsequent fortnight , they're getting to occupy home with no work and no chance of getting money."
Meanwhile, police said on Monday that they were bolstering forces in Lagos and Ogun after almost 200 suspects were arrested amid fears of a spike in crime during the lockdown.
Buhari said compliance with the stay-at-home order and other restrictions introduced by state governors across the country had been "generally good".
But he cautioned that "a large proportion of latest infections are now occurring in our communities".
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES
Nigeria
Coronavirus pandemic
Africa
Have your say.
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