The Federal Government of Nigeria plans to set up a N500 billion ($1.2 billion) intervention fund to fight the novel Coronavirus.

“Our general view is that this crisis intervention fund is to be utilized to upgrade health care facilities as earlier identified,” Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed was quoted as saying in a statement from Nigeria’s Senate after talks with senior lawmakers to discuss the funding.

“The Federal Government balso needs to be in a position to improve health care facilities not only in the states but to provide intervention to the states.”

Nigeria in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19 has restricted all movement of people and ordered businesses and offices closed in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States.

Ahmed met Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila on Saturday to seek approval for the fund, which would draw on resources from several special government accounts.