Fear as COVID- 19 cases rise amid relaxed lockdowns

• Figures may still get worse, medical experts warn • ‘ Why Nigeria needs office of surgeon general in virus fight’ • Lagos mulls reopening of religious, social centres

THE COVID- 19 pandemic appeared to have outwitted containment efforts at the weekend as the country recorded its highest daily figure at a time Nigerians were heaving a sigh of relief from weeks of lockdowns.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC) had on Saturday announced 553 new infections, bringing the nation’s total number of confirmed cases to 9,855.

The disturbing numbers came after President Muhammadu Buhari had

announced the relaxation of the lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), Lagos and Ogun States, a move that has been replicated by some states across the country.

The Lagos State government yesterday disclosed it would begin the Register- toOpen initiative, which would feature guidelines for reopening the economy, especially religious and social centres.

At a press conference, the director general of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, noted: “A committee has been set up by Governor Sanwo- Olu, headed by the Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Tayo BamgboseMartins, consisting of other ministries including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, and Home Affairs. The other ministries are Physical Planning and Urban Renewal, Economic Planning and Budget to ensure that the process of reopening is done effortlessly.

“The commission has met with various stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism sectors and will be engaging more stakeholders in the coming week on the best approach to the gradual reopening of the economy and registration of entities within the various sectors. The process is not tedious and time consuming. It takes into account all religious centres, event centres, gyms, night clubs, bars, lounges, spars, cinemas, restaurants, etc.”

Also, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday relaxed the lockdown in his state further, directing residents to pursue their businesses Monday through Friday from 6: 00 a. m. to 8: 00 p. m. Beginning today, public officers on Grade Level 8 and above would resume work while those on Grade Level 7 and below would remain at home till further notice. “It is quite a thing of concern that despite government’s efforts to control COVID- 19, more cases are still being experienced in the country,” said Dr. Chinedu Idoko, Director General of Enugu State Agency for the Control of AIDS ( ENSACA) and former Chairman, Enugu State Hospital Management Board.

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Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola ( right); his counterparts from other states, Godwin Obaseki ( Edo); Babajide Sanwo- Olu ( Lagos); National Leader, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; his counterparts in Plateau and Niger states, Simon Lalong and Abubakar Sani Bello during the governors’ meeting with Tinubu over Adams Oshiohmole and Obaseki’s crisis in Lagos… yesterday.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, inspecting armoured personnel carriers during his assessment of ongoing manufacturing, repairs and overhaul of combat vehicles at the 107 Division equipment support in Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri … at the weekend.