The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has blamed
re-opening of schools, businesses and religious centres without
compliance with safety measures for increasing number of
infections.
![image](/2020/10/lawreport.jpg")
Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the
Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, disclosed this on Monday during a
media briefing in Abuja.
![image](/2020/10/NWLRland.jpg")
He also identified re-opening of airports and increased local
and international travels as another source of spread of the second
wave of the disease.
Noting the intensity of the new wave of infection is unlike the
earlier one as it is swifter and deadlier, Mustapha warned
Nigerians to be more vigilant as the capacity to respond to the
speed of the spread might not be sufficient.
He stated the best chance for every individual would be to
ensure to avoid being infected.
“It is however 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
COIVID-19 safety measures.
“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 the PTF had
made progress, noting also great lessons had been learnt from
countries and regions where earlier head start had been made.
“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.
Speaking 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, he said the PTF had continued
to receive inquiries about testing before travelling out of the
country, explaining the protocol in Nigeria 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.
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has blamed
re-opening of schools, businesses and religious centres without
compliance with safety measures for increasing number of
infections.
Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the
Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, disclosed this on Monday during a
media briefing in Abuja.
He also identified re-opening of airports and increased local
and international travels as another source of spread of the second
wave of the disease.
Noting the intensity of the new wave of infection is unlike the
earlier one as it is swifter and deadlier, Mustapha warned
Nigerians to be more vigilant as the capacity to respond to the
speed of the spread might not be sufficient.
He stated the best chance for every individual would be to
ensure to avoid being infected.
“It is however 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
COIVID-19 safety measures.
“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 the PTF had
made progress, noting also great lessons had been learnt from
countries and regions where earlier head start had been made.
“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.
Speaking 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, he said the PTF had continued
to receive inquiries about testing before travelling out of the
country, explaining the protocol in Nigeria 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.