Nigeria: Local authorities announce total lockdown in Taraba State as of April 21 /update 14

Event

On Tuesday, April 21, Deputy State Governor Alhaji Haruna Manu announced the implementation of a total lockdown in the state of Taraba effective from 23:00 (local time) on Wednesday, April 22, in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As such, religious services, gatherings, and movement of both individuals and vehicles will be banned for the duration of the lockdown which, as of Wednesday, April 22, remains unclear. According to the statement, individuals will only be allowed to leave their place of residence to purchase essential goods on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 10:00 and 14:00.

As of April 22, the country's airports remain closed, although emergency and essential flights, such as cargo transportation, are allowed to operate.

Lockdowns are currently in effect in Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Kogi, Kano, Ogun, and Lagos states, as well as in the city of Abuja. Restrictions have been introduced in a number of states including Bauchi, Ekiti, Imo, Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, Osun, and Rivers states.

Nigerian authorities deployed additional police units across Lagos and Ogun states in an effort to curb a recent surge in crimes being committed during the COVID-19 lockdown. On Thursday, April 16, reports stated that the security forces have killed at least 18 people in incidents linked to their enforcement of lockdown measures introduced on Monday, March 30.

As of Thursday, April 23, there are 873 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 28 related deaths nationwide. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue - throw tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.