The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has warned Nigerians from living in unnecessary denial of the presence and danger of COVID-19.
He insisted that no one should test the virulence of COVID-19 by engaging in risky behavior.
The consequences, he stressed, “can be dire.”
Speaking at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Thursday, Ehanire urged Nigerians to continue to practice measures put in place to halt the spread of the diseases.
The measures, according to him, include using facemasks, physical distancing and imbibing social courtesies like not sneezing or coughing into open space, but into a tissue, especially with people around.
“The stated aim of the Federal Ministry of Health, once again, is to reduce fatalities by ensuring that those citizens defined as vulnerable to covid-19 are offered protection by prioritizing them for advice on non-pharmaceutical measures like staying home, except on essential activities outside the home, and in such cases, wearing and retaining a mask and avoiding gatherings of persons.
“Going to places of worship, if their condition permits and the prescribed arrangement have been made, else pray at home. The vulnerable will also be prioritized for admission to observation or treatment centers, even if they do not yet have symptoms.
“Countries in the world, including even the most liberal in Europe, are making masks mandatory for people who use public transport and even outside, and they are imposing a fine for non-compliance.
“We urge all shops, businesses, service centers and places authorized to open to the public, to require that their customers and visitors use masks and adhere to these simple measures or else be denied entry.”
