The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has unanimously agreed to the implementation of an inter-state lockdown in the country over the next two weeks to mitigate spread of the virus from state to state.
A limited lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and the FCT will expire next Monday.
NGF chairman, Kayode Fayemi said the governors agreed on the measure at their virtual meeting on Wednesday.
In a communique issued at the end of the 6th videoconference, the governors also called for the decentralisation of COVID-19 response as the best chance of nipping the spread of the virus in communities in the country.
Fayemi said that the call was imperative with over 25 states now affected by spread of the virus and increasing evidence of community transmission.
“Following an update from the NGF Secretariat on the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, members expressed serious concern over the rising spread of the virus among health workers.
“The governors resolved to work with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to ensure that health workers are adequately provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) and are constantly trained on the use of protective gears.
“In order to strengthen coordinated implementation of necessary public health recommendations across states, Governors resolved to set up COVID-19 Committees at the regional level, headed by their State Commissioners of Health.
“Regional Committees will continue to interface with the State Task Force Committees on COVID-19 already established in each state.
“The Forum also received briefing from the Governors of Lagos, Bauchi, Oyo and Ogun states who shared their experiences and lessons from the fight against COVID-19.
“Governors unanimously agreed to the implementation of an inter-state lockdown in the country over the next two weeks to mitigate spread of the virus from State to State. Only essential services will be permitted,” he said.
