The outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria has affected different sectors. Airports have been shut as both domestic and international operations are halted amidst mount in the number of cases.
On Wednesday, May 6, the nation’s Federal Government announced an extension of the ban on domestic flight till June 7.
However, the country is slowing easing lockdown and Domestic flights are preparing to start operation soon.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN disclosed that in preparation for reopening, measures are put in place to ensure the safety of the passengers looking to get on board.
Henrietta Yakubu, the General Manager Corporate Affairs of FAAN, made known that there would be unavoidable delays compared to how it runs before the outbreak.
Passengers would be subjected to checks and re-checks from their arrival to the airport to depart.
She warned travelers to leave home hours before the time of flight.
Going further, she stated that escorts won’t be allowed to follow VIPs into the terminal.
The World Health Organisation announced the temporary suspension of Chloroquine clinical trials for the treatment of Coronavirus pandemic.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus the WHO chief announced that the use of the anti-malaria drug could increase the chances of patients dying.
However, The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, disclosed despite warnings from WHO, that the Chloroquine clinical trials won’t stop in the country.
According to Mojisola Adeyeye, the body’s Director-General, on a television broadcast on Tuesday, the anti-malaria drug is effective in treating COVID-19 patients at the early stage of the disease.
Nigeria would continue with its Hydroxychloroquine clinical trial which may last 3-4 months.
Lockdown in Rivers is now eased as announced by Governor Nyesom Wike in a broadcast. Which means businesses can reopen in the state.
Measures like compulsory use of face masks in public places, physical distancing and proper hygiene must adhere strictly to. Borders remain closed in the state.
Rivers has 157 confirmed cases of the virus.
According to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, is not willing to give in to the ripple effect and economic devastation by the outbreak.
Oil prices all over the world have experienced a significant decline. The oil industry in Nigeria didn’t give in to this.
Mallam Mele Kyari, NNPC Group Managing Director, reviewed the impact of the pandemic on the oil sector and put measures in place to tackle it.
The NNPC has kept in contact with its stakeholders in the industry and State government officials, which resulted in an unbroken and continuous supply of petroleum across the country.
Kaduna‘s 60 days lockdown has expired and now extended by two weeks.
Residents will only be allowed to go out on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for grocery shopping from 6:00 am-6:00 pm.
Temporary neighborhood markets are allowed to operate from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on these free days. Certain sectors in the state however will swing open. This is to come into effect on June 1.
This was disclosed by Dr. Hadiza Balarebe, the State’s Deputy Governor.
Kaduna has 208 cases of the COVID-19 disease.
