The Presidential Task Force PTF on COVID-19 has appealed to #EndSARS protesters to listen to the voice of reason and tow the path of dialogue.
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force PTF on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, made the appeal during a briefing in Abuja.
The SGF noted the disregard for non-pharmaceutical interventions advised to protect people from being infected with the virus has become alarming, especially in all the protest gatherings seen across the country of recent.
He warned the disregard with which protesters had treated the advice to maintain social distance, wear facemasks and other protective measures had the capacity to ignite a new wave of the outbreak.
“It will not be out of place for the PTF to, in consideration of the foregoing, remind all Nigerians that we are in the middle of a global pandemic.
“The virus remains very virulent, deadly and dangerous. It is an unseen enemy which thrives when people lower their guard.
“While we use this medium to join other voices of reason, to appeal to the youths to harken to the invitation to dialogue, we also emphasize that non-compliance with the NPIs are very risky adventures that must be avoided.
“We cannot afford to lose momentum and risk a second wave that might overwhelm our health systems.
“The PTF has on account of these developments, accelerated its plans for the National Testing Week and shall continue to monitor developments in all areas of the economy that have reopened and where new mass gathering events are taking place over the next three weeks for signs of spike in numbers.
“We urge everyone who has been exposed unduly to large gathering to get tested and/or report any signs of the symptoms of COVID-19,” he said.
The SGF also noted indications are that Nigeria is succeeding in the fight against the pandemic.
The SGF, who noted the infection rate rose by 32% in comparison with the preceding, however tasked the public to treat the seeming success with caution, reminding all that the disease is still very much around and still deadly.
