Nigerian senators flout social distancing measure at plenary

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has kicked against the violation of social distancing measure by senators during Tuesday’s plenary.

Lawan made the observation while reading votes and proceedings of last Tuesday’s sitting for adoption.

He said: “Distinguished colleagues, as leaders and lawmakers, please let us ensure that the principle of social distancing is observed.

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“The principle is not observed at the back seats going by the way distinguished colleagues are seated.

“Please, let the principle be reflected straight away by ensuring the required gaps between the seats.”

Few minutes later, the Senate President, repeated the admonition when he told Senator Uche Ekwunife (PDP, Anambra central) that she was too close to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo- Agege (APC, Delta Central).

Lawan also asked all the senators to ensure that their face mask is on whenever they want to speak.

President Muhammadu Buhari had relaxed the lockdown he initially imposed on the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun States as a result of rising numbers of cases of coronavirus in the country.

He, however, ordered the observance of social disctancing and use of facemasks in an effort to halt the spread of the virus in the country despite the gradual opening of the economy.

He also banned inter-states travels except for essential workers and food items.

But the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 is complaining that Nigerians were not observing social distancing and threatened to advise the President to enforce another lockdown if things does not improve.

The COVID-19 positive cases in Nigeria is now 4641, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.