The federal government Friday warned state governments against relaxing movement restrictions for Jumaat prayers, Church service and Easter celebration, saying it would reverse the gains recorded against the spread of coronavirus disease in the country.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, appealed to governors to be on the same page with the federal government on the restriction protocols.
“We have noted that some states have started lifting the ban or relaxing containment protocols and this is really not the right time to do so – partly because we still have an ongoing pandemic which is global.
“It is also not the right time to do so because we could end up having real recrudescence of infections,” he said.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic is not just about Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states, stressing that leaders at all levels have roles to play for the success of the fight against the disease in the country.
“At this point, I am appealing to our local community leaders, religious and traditional leaders, as well as the state authorities to continue to support and encourage the public to maintain those protective measures that are important in getting on top of this infection.
“There is also a very strong need for the state governments to work in harmony and align with the Federal Government in our effort to deal with this pandemic. This pandemic is not just an Abuja or Lagos issue; it is a national issue,” he said.
Also speaking, chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the Control of COVID-19 pandemic and the Secretary to the Government Federation (SGF) Mr Boss Mustapha, said the war can only be won if all tiers of government work together.
“I want to appeal to all subnational entities to recognize the serious nature of this situation and to synergise, so that together we can win the war. “We have one national response. It is expected that each and every subnational response should fit into the national response, so that we can collectively deploy our resources, strategies and our personnel to directly deal with this unseen and uncommon enemy,” he said.
Meanwhile, members of the PTF led by Boss Mustapha visited President Muhammadu Buhari later on Friday.
