Following the confirmation of five new cases of Coronavirus (Covid-19), Centre for Citizens with Disabilities calls on Nigerians with disabilities to take appropriate measures to protect themselves from contacting the virus.

According to it, the measures can include avoiding large gatherings, public functions, parties or better still staying indoors.

Its Executive Director, David Anyaele, said in Lagos that persons with disabilities had not been adequately considered in the information going out on COVID-19.

“We are worried that the Federal and States Government information on the prevention, spread and control of the virus are not disability sensitive.

“In all the television announcements by the Ministry of Health and its agencies on the virus, none is disability friendly as there is absence of sign language interpreters to interpret for the deaf community in Nigeria on what the government is doing to control the spread of the virus.

“Nigerians with disabilities are the most vulnerable of the vulnerable population, as such, we call for an all-inclusive prevention, response and control mechanism to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the management of this pandemic.

“We call on the federal and state governments to ensure that all information relating to protection and control of the spread of the coronavirus are disseminated in a disability friendly format.

“This is to ensure that no one is left behind in the dissemination of public information about Coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

Anyaele also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the National Disability Act through the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

“Implement Section 2 of the Act which provides that Federal Ministry of Information shall make provision for the creation of awareness regarding rights, respect, and dignity of persons with disabilities; capabilities, achievements, and contributions of persons with disabilities.”

In light of the above, he said that pending when improved reports on the control of the spread of the virus are received, it will be putting on hold all public functions and activities at the national and state levels.

According to Anyaele, the continued spread of the virus may eventually lead to the closure of their operations until the situation is under control.