Due to alarming rate of recorded Coronavirus cases in the country, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, chaired by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, may be considering the re-introduction of lockdown imposed on some states, especially in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Mustapha, who gave this inkling at the daily briefing session of the committee in Abuja, pointed out that the level of compliance to the safety rules outlined by government to curtail the spread of coronavirus across the country is unsatisfactory.
Even though a total of 1, 070 Nigerians who initially contracted the virus have been discharged from various isolation centres, the PTF chairman said Nigerians who returned from United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States appear to be the worst culprits in breaching the quarantine measures put in place.
He alleged that a good number of them were in the habit of inviting their relatives to the quarantine locations, mostly hotel accommodation, not minding the negative consequences.
According to the PTF, this act portends grave danger to the collective will to end the virus from the country.
“In the past two days, the PTF has briefed the topmost decision-making bodies of the country on progress, challenges and planned course of action. The objective was to seek further guidance and fresh ideas to improve the fight against COVID-19. The briefing was robust and very helpful in bringing renewed cohesion into the efforts of government.
“We will continue our assessment of the level of compliance with the guidelines and the impact on slowing down the spread of COVID-19. In due course, we shall make further recommendations before the second phase commences.
“I must, however, state that our initial evaluation point firmly in the direction of a high level of non-compliance which, as we have often warned, portends grave self-inflicted danger. This fact has made it imperative for me to re-echo our call for taking personal responsibility.
“The PTF reported the progress made with the evacuation of some Nigerians from the UAE, UK & USA. We also informed you about the mandatory quarantine protocol. Nigerians have in recent days been served with different audio-visual clips by some of these returnees.
“The PTF is saddened by the conduct of some of the returnees who fail to adhere to the conditions attached to their quarantine. I strongly urge them to obey the rules in the facilities and also urge their friends and relations to recognise the contagious nature of the disease by desisting from visiting them. Complying is in the interest of the visiting relation and in the overall public interest.
“You must abide with the guidelines (wash your hands as frequently as necessary; use hand sanitisers; maintain social distancing, use a face mask or covering in public places). In addition, you must comply with the ban on inter-state travels, avoid crowded places, observe the curfew and do all you can to stay home and stay safe,” he noted.
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