Nigeria: Embargo on interstate travels on the way over coronavirus

The Federal Government has given indication that plans are on in progress to ban inter-state travelling in the country as a radical measure to curtail the dreadful coronavirus.

This was disclosed by a presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad on Thursday during which he quoted the Hon Minister of Information & Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed over the statement.

“The Federal Government announces plans to ban inter-state travel and possibly close down all motor parks as part of measures to curtail the spread of the #Coronavirus,” presidential aide said in a tweet.

“In view of this, we are considering tougher measures to enforce compliance, stop the exportation of the disease to states that do not have it and minimize spread.”

A national shutdown of the country looks imminent after the government announced different measures to curb a further spread of coronavirus.

About a week ago, the government placed travel restriction on 15 countries with a high prevalence of the virus. The government also suspended its visa on arrival policy on the same day.

All international flights have also been barred from all Nigeria airports. The government have also advised citizens to stay at home as the world tackles the pandemic.

The federal government and state government also barred all social and religious gatherings of not less than 20 people at a place.

In a ‘corrected’ update by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Thursday, 14 new cases of coronavirus in the country have been confirmed with one each in the Federal Capital Territory and Bauchi state while Lagos records 12 confirmed new cases. In total, confirmed cases in the country increased to 65 while 3 were discharged. Death record remains one.

Published By: Admin

CARL UMEGBORO is a legal practitioner (Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria) and human rights activist. He is an associate of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom). He is a prolific writer, social policy and public affairs analyst. Prior to his call to Bar as a lawyer, he had been a veteran journalist and columnist, and has over 250 published articles in various leading national newspapers to his credit. Barrister Umegboro, a litigation counsel is also a regular guest-analyst at many TV and radio programme on crucial national issues. He can be reached through: (+234) 08023184542, (+234) 08173184542 OR Email: umegborocarl@gmail.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *