As part of measures to forestall the outbreak of the dreaded Coronavirus in Nigeria, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government and the Ministry of Aviation and security agencies to immediately halt all flights from high-risk countries especially the United Kingdom (UK), Spain, Italy, the United States of America (USA), China and South Korea except for Nigerian citizens who will be tested on arrival and may be quarantined if necessary.
The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to continue to work with Federal and State medical establishments to update and upgrade facilities and prepare for eventualities.
The House reached these resolutions at the beginning of plenary on Tuesday, following a unanimous adoption of a motion on matter of urgent public importance sponsored by Luke Onofiok (PDP, Akwa Ibom).
Presenting the motion, Onofiok said the House appreciated the seriousness of the current global epidemic, Coronavirus, which the World Health Organisation has designated a global epidemic that has so far affected almost 200,000 persons worldwide and killed over 7,000 in over 60 nations. In the United States, only the State of West Virginia is yet to report a case of Coronavirus
According to him the House “Notes the very far-reaching efforts of governments all over the world including nations such as Ghana and South Africa where gatherings of more than 50 persons have been prohibited, social distancing of at least 3 feet apart is encouraged, the widespread use of sanitizers recommended, and citizens encouraged to stay indoors with some cities and nations on total lockdown (save for strategic and essential movements)- in fact, workers are encouraged to work from home while students are encouraged to study online.
“Further Appreciates the fact that Nigeria has been fortunate to have only one index case that is said to be recovering, and given that our borders are porous and no one can predict the trans-boundary movement of persons in absolute terms.
“Draws attention to the already established fact that without effective social distancing and drastic steps to avoid contacts this epidemic could be easily transmitted and the Sports Festival would bring together thousands of young healthy Nigerians from all the States and the FCT which will mingle and inter-mingle and go back to their states to further mingle with friends, family colleagues, and community with the attendant implications.”
