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Health News of Thursday, 16 April 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Our lives would not remain the same after COVID-19- NCDC DG

NCDC DG, Chikwe Ihekweazu NCDC DG, Chikwe Ihekweazu

Life will not be the same after COVID-19, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Chikwe Ihekweazu has said.

Speaking on a programme organised by Channels Television, Sunrise Daily, this morning, he said there was no way things would rever back to normal or be COVID-19 free.

He said the lockdown is just to stop transmission and reduce people congregating in the same place.

"The goal of the lockdown is not to get to the end of this outbreak. It is to keep people apart to stop transmission. Some analytics from Google has said many places we meet is down to 60-70%. The second goal is to build the Public Health operations to sufficiency," Ihekweazu said.

The NCDC boss noted that the decision to reopen the economy lies with the President and not him. However, he noted that people must begin to learn how to scale down their operations as a business and as a people. Part of which includes remote working, less touching and lean capacity operations.

"It is the President's prerogative to decide when to reopen the economy. He consults all sectors. There is no right or wrong decision here. At the moment I am glad not to be in his shoes," he responded.

Giving a futuristic forecast of life after the coronavirus, he said things would not change overnight. However things will come to life gradually and washing of hands, using face masks and sanitisers will continue. He said businesses must think long-term in cutting their capacities and embracing work from home.

In fact, he said restaurants would have to operate leaner capacities to avoid physical contact.

"We are not anticipating that the next day we will get to zero. I don't think schools, the airport would reopen the same day. Certain things would change, especially.

"Everyone should be thinking how to do things differently- especially small businesses," Ihekweazu warned.