The Federal Government warned that there could be another outburst of the COVID-19 disease in the country in the next two weeks.
According to Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation who doubles as Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Nigerians should not feel comfortable of the low number of infections reported in the recent.
Mustapha said this during the PTF’s briefing yesterday, lamenting that citizens, most especially those travelling into the country are refusing to avail themselves for Coronavirus tests upon arrival.
According to the PTF chairman, statistics from the nation’s records showed that only one out of three passengers had shown up for the in-country test they signed up for before arrival.
“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. That advice was premised on the fact that risk perception remains very low and sample collection has been on the decline,” the SGF revealed.
Again he expressed fear over the violation of the COVID-19 protocols during the recently conducted governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States as well as the nationwide #EndSARS protests.
Mustapha added, “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.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) on Tuesday evening, 3rd October 2020, confirmed 137 new cases of coronavirus disease infection in Nigeria.