The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the COVID-19 Pandemic has said it would not hesitate to change the course of national response if such a need arose.
Secretary to the Government (PTF) of the Federation and Chairman of the PTF, Mr Boss Mustapha, gave this warning during the media briefing by the task force on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the warning became necessary due to the fact that countries around the world, including Nigeria, had started gradual easing of restrictions, which he said would undoubtedly lead to rise in cases of the virus spread.
He however charged Nigerians not to assume that the relaxation of restrictions meant that the battle against COVID-19 had been concluded.
“One significant observation the PTF wishes to make is that new rise in cases are to be expected as nations start to ease restrictions.
“We shall however proceed with caution and we shall not hesitate to change course when the need arises. What this means is that Nigerians should never mistake the relaxation by government as a signal that the COVID-19 battle had been concluded,” he warned.
He also clarified that the federal government had not opened schools for resumption, adding that the Federal Ministry of Education would have to consult more widely in order to be able to decide when it would be safe enough to open schools.
“For the avoidance of doubts, schools have not resumed. Only critical examination classes will be allowed to resume for those who need revision before examinations. As we have informed you, the Federal Ministry of education will consult further with stakeholders before issuing guidelines that will lead to full resumption.
“We appeal to Nigerians to continue to show understanding and to ensure that their wards take full advantage of electronic platforms provided for learning”, he said.
Speaking on Wednesday’s incident at the Federal Medical Center in Lokoja, Kogi State, Mustapha, while condemning the incident, assured that security agencies had commenced investigation.
“The PTF has received with great concern, reports about the attack on the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State by some hoodlums. The PTF is particularly distressed and regrets the trauma to which medical workers, patients and others who went on their legitimate businesses were subjected.
“I wish to assure you that security agencies have been tasked with the responsibility for fishing out the criminal elements behind it and they will be brought to justice. We thank law abiding Nigerians for reporting the occurrence promptly,” he said.
The SGF hinted about an inter-religious prayer will be organized to seek divine intervention in the pandemic.
He said it will be spearheaded by the Co-Chairmen of the Nigerian Inter Religious Council (NIREC), His Eminence Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto/President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and His Eminence Rev. Dr. Samson O. A. Ayokunle, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Mustapha said the PTF will continue to work with the states and other stakeholders regarding the precision measures to be deployed in the high burden council areas.
He said further that the WHO announced on Wednesday that 60 percent of all COVID-19 cases globally have been reported in the last one month and further noted that for the past week, the number of new cases have exceeded 160,000 on every single day.
He noted that Nigeria on Wednesday reached another daily milestone with new daily cases reaching 790.
“We join the whole world in emphasizing that the best way to manage this pandemic is the comprehensive approach. While we ask you to play your part by observing physical distancing, keeping personal hygiene, wearing face mask, avoiding large gathering and staying at home if you should.
“The PTF and collaborating agencies shall continue to work on finding, isolating, testing, tracing every contact, communicating and treating. For our health workers, we shall equip and train them while our communities will be empowered to protect themselves. It is a combined approach that will work for us all,” he said.
