18 Jul Nigeria’s Federal Government to open COVID-19 testing centres in all 774 LGAs
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, made this known on Monday, announced on July 13, that the Federal Government has said that to address the testing deficit in the country, it plans to establish one testing and sample collection centre in every Local Government Area (LGA) in Nigeria.
He reiterated that contacting COVID-19 is not a death sentence, but that early detection is vital to increase chances at survival and curbing the spread of the virus.
This announcement comes after the declaration that all unnecessary travel for meetings by government officials will be suspended until further notice. Mustapha stressed that all government meetings should be conducted virtually until further notice.
He also stressed that all Nigerians should remain vigilant, as the pandemic would not go away by a wish or nonchalance.
According to Mustapha, the decision was part of the outcome of the PTF mid-term Review of the National Response Strategy. Another outcome of the review is a new focus on having enough oxygen nationwide as the number of hospitalised people increases.
Mustapha said that the PTF is also encouraged by the compliance messages that have gone viral on social media and that one of those that caught his attention gives three major reasons why COVID-19 is spreading fast. He highlighted that many people use close friendships and work relationships as an excuse to abandon the mask and distancing protocol.
“‘They are my colleagues, so I can speak without a mask; they are my close friends, so I can speak without a mask; they are my relations, so I can speak without a mask’. This message is so poignant that if we juxtapose it with the fact that crowded places and closed spaces create an environment for the spread, we should behave more responsibly”, Mustapha said while appreciating the author of the quotes.
On the controversy surrounding school resumption, the SGF said: ‘The PTF has followed with keen interest the conversation around the resumption of schools. We recognise that our children are precious and we would not do anything to compromise their safety.
‘The PTF has assessed the circumstances and has put in place necessary guidelines to be followed while the managers of the sector have the responsibility for drawing up the protocols and determining the dates.
‘We urge Nigerians to follow closely the critical steps being taken by the Federal Ministry of Education in conjunction with other stakeholders,’ he said.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Education has released guidelines for schools and learning facilities reopening after COVID-19 pandemic closure.
He said that the guidelines spell out major things to consider before schools and learning facilities shall reopen, the reopening process, sequencing and scheduling of safe reopening and decisions about schools reopening.
Source: Sunnews
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