The Federal Government just banned the inter-state movement of coronavirus patients in the country.

Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, revealed this recently in Abuja, at the Presidential Taskforce (PTF), briefing on COVID-19.

According to Osagie, everyone that has tested positive must be treated in the state where their diagnosis was made to avoid further spread of infection.

He added that the Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) and Pharmacists should stay away from trying to treat such COVID-19 patients, else, their operating licenses would be seized.

His words, “Government is interested in remedies that are being proposed. The Ministry of Health has a department for ‘Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine’, so anything that is thought to have efficacy should be brought forward.

“Now we are in the community transmission phase and we have passed that era when people think that COVID-19 was something for big men and women who came from abroad.

“Now that it is in the grassroots, the role of the Primary Healthcare now comes to play and it is very important for them to do the surveillance to raise the index of suspicion.”

“Considering the dynamic nature of the response plan, the strategy for testing has been modified and door-to-door testing is now taking place in some communities in Lagos and Abuja.

“Testing, detection, isolation, care and case management remain central to our success in this fight.

“The situation in Kano continues to be of concern and the PTF is working in close contact with the state government to arrest the situation. The PTF will update you as soon as there are new developments.”

“We must all arise to fight this potent and invisible common enemy by adhering to the guidelines and protocols for COVID-19, which includes personal hygiene, social distancing, wear of masks in public places, obeying the stay-at-home order and reporting unusual illness to the authorities for investigation,”

“It is anticipated that by April 24, Ramadan will begin. I want to use this medium to thank His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs for endorsing the recommendations of the Emergency Fatwah Committee by issuing a statement guiding the conduct of the Ummah during the Ramadan.

“The statement has directed the Ummah on the suspension of obligatory religious activities such as Jumaat, congregational and other sessions during the month of Ramadan to prevent the spread of COVID 19.”