The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Friday warned governors not to relax the lockdown in their different states for religious reasons.
The lockdowns which had been imposed on virtually all the 36 states and Abuja are part of efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
In a statement issued by Francis Faduyile and Olumuyiwa Odusote, NMA President and Secretary-General respectively, the doctors stressed that easing the restrictions on movement would cause a setback on the fight against Coronavirus.
They insisted that it was not yet time to relax the lockdown.
READ ALSO: Easter Celebrations: Abia Relaxes Lockdown
The statement read in part: “Of particular concern is the declaration by the Cross River State Governor that social distancing is not needed while wearing a face mask.
“A moratorium on the lockdown to allow mass gathering in mosques and churches from Friday to Sunday in Rivers; the lifting of the ban on Friday prayers by the Katsina and Kogi governments.
“We are aware that similar orders have also been given in Ondo, Ebonyi and Imo states which have approved mass attendance of Easter services.
“While appreciating the prime place of religion in our national lives and especially the value Christians place on Easter, we place on record that there is now the evidence of community transmission of COVID-19.”
