COVID-19: Buhari cancels trips as Nigeria gets 3rd case

THE Federal Government on Tuesday revved up its response to the spreading Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with new measures including an immediate ban on foreign trips by public servants.

Government advised Nigerians with non-essential international travel plans, especially to countries with prevalent cases, to shelve such plans forthwith.

On Tuesday, the health authorities announced Nigeria’s third positive case, involving a Nigerian returnee from the United Kingdom.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha announced the new measure at the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the Control of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. He is the chairman of the panel.

As part of the new approach, anyone returning from any country must strictly self-isolate for 14 days in their homes with more attention focussed on those returning from high risk countries.

“The designated high risk countries are: China, Iran, South Korea, Germany, Italy, USA, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Spain, France and Japan,” Mustapha said.

Also, “people returning from countries with high community transmission rate especially countries that have recorded a1000 cumulative cases and above, will be actively followed up for 14 days by the health authorities.

Mustapha said: “After due consideration and the trend of the novel coronavirus disease – COVID-19 and the subsequent declaration as pandemic by the World Health Organisation, the committee has decided that we upscale our health emergency system to the highest level and put in measures to curb further spread of the disease.

“So far we have three cases two have tested positive, one negative. We will want to ensure that this does not go beyond this minor figure for now.