The federal government says COVID-19 infections may spike up
across the country in the next two weeks.
Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the
federation, said the country is at a risk of importing more cases of the
disease following the reopening of its airspace and also as a result of the
#EndSARS protests that rocked the country.
The SGF, who is also the chairman of the presidential task
force on COVID-19, also cited the Edo and Ondo governorship elections as
triggers too.
The SGF lamented the refusal of some Nigerians who, upon arrival from abroad, failed to present themselves for the polymerase chain reaction test they signed up for.
He said the records show that only one out of three
passengers had shown up for the in-country test.
He said as a result of non-compliance, passports of culpable
individuals will be suspended for six months.
“The PTF at the last briefing cautioned on the need to avoid
complacency on account of the low number of infections published daily and the
possibility of a second wave,” he said.
“That advice was premised on the fact that risk perception
remains very low and sample collection has been on the decline.
“The PTF is highlighting these issues repeatedly because we
remain at risk of importation, having opened our airspace and massive spread as
a result of the protests. The next week or two remain critical.
“The PTF similarly announced sanctions as a consequence of
any infraction. Having observed serious non-compliance to the level of 65%, the
need has arisen to activate the sanctions, including the suspension of the
passports of such defaulting individuals for a period of six months minimum.”
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) earlier warned
of the possibility of a second wave of infections if Nigerians did not adhere
to stipulated safety protocols.
Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of the NCDC, had said the
second wave of the disease is inevitable but could be avoided.
“We know that as we move towards the reopening of schools,
there will be increased opportunity for transmission because students will come
together,” he had said.
“We have to come together as a society. Nobody in this
country wants another lockdown and we are hoping that we have learnt enough
from the consequences of the first one to prevent the second one.”
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