The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has warned Nigerians that there could be a new round of total lockdown if people continue to disobey the guidelines of social distancing during the gradual reopening of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Lagos and Ogun states.

Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu stated this during the task force press briefing in Abuja.

While briefing journalists, Dr Ihekweazu warned that President Muhammadu Buhari could restore the lockdown if the guidelines were not observed and there was a surge in coronavirus cases.

Thelagostimes recalls that the President, had, in his broadcast to the nation on April 27, said phased and gradual easing of the lockdown would begin on May 4 (yesterday) after about a month of total lockdown. He also imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on the nation.

Besides banning interstate movements, the President imposed a total lockdown on Kano State, which had witnessed a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Guidelines on gradual reopening of the economy issued by the PTF a few days after the presidential address mandate anyone in public spaces to use non-medical face masks while commercial vehicles are only allowed to operate outside the curfew hours and should practise social distancing in the number of their passengers.

However, compliance to the PTF guidelines was very low as people were seen moving around without the nose masks and shunning social distancing.