Buhari Asks Nigerians Not to Panic over Coronavirus
*As NCAA subjects passengers to Port Health Services at airports
President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday called on Nigerians not to panic over the outbreak of Coronavirus in Lagos, Nigeria.
In a statement from the presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, the President expressed concerns that the virus was in the country, but said there was be no need to for Nigerians to panic.
Buhari who commended the Federal Ministry of Health and other agencies for helping in diagnosing the virus in an Italian urged them to follow up on prevention.
He praised the Lagos and Ogun state governments for vigilance and prompt response on the first case.
Following the incident, the federal government has activated all airport-specific Public Health Emergency Contingency Plans (PHECPs) to be able to check the spread of the virus.
In a statement, the Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, disclosed that travelers returning from overseas journey are being subjected to Port Health Services at the Point of Entry in the airport.
Nuhu said, “There will be minimum disruption to facilitation of travel due to the thorough screening at entry post. We appeal to travelers who develop signs and symptoms of the disease after returning from a trip abroad to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility.
“We are working in assistance with airlines to track passengers who may have come in contact with suspect or ill persons as well as other measures the National Surveillance Systems requires.”
“In line with the guidelines of ICAO and Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA), we have been working with the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders in the aviation industry to ensure all travelers coming into the country are adequately screened while causing minimum disruption to facilitation of travel”.
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