The Federal Government has ruled out the possibility of another nationwide lockdown despite the rising cases of COVID19 infections in the country.
Speaking at the weekly ministerial briefing organized at the State House in Abuja today August 12, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said although the increasing number of confirmed cases calls for concern, it isn’t enough to impose a lockdown.
On Wednesday, August 11, Nigeria recorded 790 cases of new COVID19 infections. The recent surge in infections has been partly attributed to the Delta variant, which is believed to be more contagious and deadlier.
On the current strike action by resident doctors across the country, the Health Minister said the Federal government would implement a ‘no work, no pay’ rule. He said the doctors, under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors, should desist from embarking on strike actions as a means of making their demands. He urged the doctors to consider other options in the interest of the country, particularly at a time the country is in a war situation.