NATIONAL: PTF raises alarm over reopening of schools

* ‘Airports, schools, businesses, religious centres are sources of covid-19 spread’

*January 18 school resumption date may be reviewed — Education Minister

THE Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 says the re-opening of schools, businesses and religious centres without compliance with safety measures is responsible for increasing number of infections.

Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, disclosed this today during a media briefing in Abuja.

A another briefing in Abuja, Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu hinted that the federal government may be considering reviewing the January 18 date already announced.

“On January 18th resumption, we are reviewing it, we are going to review it… tomorrow the Ministry is going to take it up,” stated Adamu a the briefing.

Mustapha said it is “very instructive to stress that factors that have contributed to rise in numbers from late November 2020 included increased local and international travels, business and religious activities, reopening of schools without strict compliance with Covid-19 safety measures.

Noting that intensity of the new wave of infection is swifter and deadlier, Mustapha warned Nigerians to be more vigilant as the country lacks capacity to respond effectively to the speed of the spread.

Said Mustapha, “The full import of the fore-going is to press further on the need for us all to elevate the level of our vigilance and compliance with the recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions.”

On vaccine acquisition and management, the SGF said, “PTF has advanced the preparation for the management of all aspects of the vaccines discuss. Particularly, lessons are being drawn from other jurisdictions on the successes and challenges of the vaccine administration,” he said.

On efforts to understand the Covid-19 strain circulating in the country, Mustapha said the PTF had commenced works with the African Centre for Disease Control (ACDC) and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on the sequencing of the disease.

On international travel protocols, the SGF said the protocol requires in-bound passengers to test, not more than 96 hours, before boarding flights to Nigeria.

“However, for passengers leaving Nigeria, it remains the responsibility of travelers to confirm the requirements of the country of destination and that of the carrier of choice.

“The additional requirements for passengers coming from the United Kingdom and South Africa also remain in force,” he said.