By Hassan Zaggi
The Federal Government has said that any person entering Nigeria from abroad will have to go on mandatory and supervised 14-day quarantine at a designated facility.
This is in an effort to prevent re-importation of the Covid-19 into the country.
The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja, Monday.
“With regard to re-importation of the virus, all persons entering Nigeria from abroad, now go to mandatory supervised 14-dayquarantine at a designated facility.
“State governments are collaborating to prepare a minimum of 300 beds for isolation and treatment, and explore all options including engaging hotels for quarantining persons who may have COVID-19 with or without symptoms and may need only little clinical management,” he said.
While calling on Nigerians to take responsibility in curtailing the spread of the disease, the Minister said: “Citizens are reminded to take responsibility through physical distancing, appropriate use of masks or improvised face coverings, maintenance of hand and respiratory hygiene, as well as strict adherence to the lockdown measures and regulations.
“The use of masks, be they disposable or cloth masks or other face coverings, is advised for all activities outside the home, especially in hotspot states of Lagos and Kano, and the FCT.
“We encourage the mass production, donation and distribution of reusable washable masks to vulnerable groups and any other member of the public, to further contribute to reducing the risks if spreading the virus.”
He, however, insisted that the federal government has the capacity to manage to Covid-19 infection.
“The federal government has the responsibility and capability to manage this viral infection safely, in the interest of public safety and national security, but can share this responsibility with private sector hospitals who meet laid down criteria.
“Please work with the Ministry of Health and NCDC on surveillance and referral of patients for testing or to isolation and treatment centres,” he noted.
