COVID-19: Don’t Reopen Schools, Viewing Centres Now – PTF Begs States
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI, ABUJA – Deeply concerned about the rising waves of coronavirus spread nationwide, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has pleaded with the 36 State governments to restrain themselves from reopening schools in their domains for now.
Passionately amplifying its plea at Monday’s media briefing in Abuja, PTF Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, maintained that with the situation on ground now, it is clearly unsafe to reopen schools, television viewing centres and other areas of public interest
Mustapha said given the pandemic ravaging nature, States cannot afford to take actions that could put millions of Nigerians in harm’s way
According to him, it is imperative for governors, currently contemplating the reopening schools and television viewing centres among other places of public interest in their respective states, to have a rethink and shelve the idea for now.
He said what the nation needs urgently is to focus more on collaborative strategies aimed at curbing community spread of the virus nationwide.
The PTF boss said at this particular time, collaborative efforts are largely required to make Nigeria safe, rather than reports “that some states are contemplating the opening of schools, television viewing centres, sports stadium and other places where large gatherings could take place.
“The Presidential Task Force re-emphasises that it is not yet safe to do so and that utmost caution should be exercised in this regard.”
Mustapha also challenged security agencies to strictly enforce the ban on interstate travels in the country, even as he warned Nigerians to desist from large gatherings of “whatever category” in order to prevent contracting the deadly virus.
The PTF Chairman, who noted that current daily increase in the number of COVID-19 cases was certainly no cheering news for the country, said the ban on all large public or private gatherings in whatever form still subsist across the country,
He said; “Gatherings of any form are still not opened, we must avoid it either driving, shows, rallies or whatever categories, be responsible.
“Lifting restriction does not mean carelessness and that life is normal. Yes, there is a normal, but it is a new normal.”
