The Federal government has started deliberating with state governors on reviewing the earlier set date for school resumption.
They have also been deliberating with the state governors on revising the curfew hours in different parts of the country so as to eliminate all nightly activities and entertainment which are considered to be a major factor in the spread of coronavirus in the country.
This update is as a result of the NCDC being careful to prevent an escalation in the cases of COVID-19 beyond a level that can be controlled by the health facilities.
At a press briefing by the Presidential Task Force on the 12th of January, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu linked the decision to review resumption date to the occurrence of the second wave of COVID-19.
He stated “It (January 18 date of school reopening) is not sacrosanct. When we decided on that date, it was just a target towards what we were working on. Of course, we are keeping it in view and looking at what is happening in the society and then it is supposed to be subject to constant review.
“Even today (Monday) at the PTF meeting, we looked at the rising figures and thought about if we should probably take another look at it. On the January 18 resumption, we are reviewing it, we are going to review it. At the PTF meeting today (Monday) we considered it and tomorrow (today), the ministry is going to take it up.”
The PTF also stated that some of the few things that contributed to the rise in COVID-19 cases are; travels, reopening of schools, businesses and religious activities.
Mr Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, during the media briefing in Abuja, stated: “It is, however, very instructive to stress that factors that have contributed to rising in numbers from late November 2020 included increased local and international travels, business and religious activities, reopening of schools without strict compliance with COIVID-19 safety measures.
“The full import of the foregoing is to press further on the need for us all to elevate the level of our vigilance and compliance with the recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions.”
The National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr Sani Aliyu, also said the PTF and the governors met last week to review the COVID-19 protocol and deepen the community engagement and enforcement of protocols.
