* Beware Of Relaxing Restrictions, Ensure No Gathering Of
Over 20 Persons
* Reps set up ad-hoc committee
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the Novel Coronavirus
(COVID-19) Pandemic has raised the alarm that Nigerians had started
stockpiling unprescribed chloroquine in large quantities.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman
of the PTF, Mr Boss Mustapha, who raised the alarm on Thursday
during the daily media briefing by the task force in Abuja,
however, warned that this development was another danger on its
own.
The SGF noted that the drug had not been certified for the
treatment of COVID-19, even as he warned that self-medication of
any kind, especially in the case with the COVID-19 disease, could
only increase casualties numbers.
The Chairman of the task force also advised state governors to
be careful how the breach the guidelines issued by the PTF,
especially with regards to allowing large gatherings, warning that
gatherings crowds larger that 20 persons in one place remained
prohibited.
“Through the surveillance system set up by the PTF, we have
received reports that Nigerians have been purchasing
Hydrxoychloroquine in large quantities. We wish to reiterate that
this drug has not being certified for use in treating COVID-19 in
Nigeria by the relevant health and pharmaceutical authorities.
“Self-medication of any kind, is fraught with the danger of
increasing risks of avoidable casualties. We, therefore strongly
warn against self-medication. If you are sick, please seek medical
advice and if you are confirmed positive, kindly self-isolate in an
approved facility. The COVID-19 is highly infectious and
dangerous”, he said.
On the action of some state governors , who had been making
proclamations in breach of PTF’s guidelines, especially with
respect to mass gatherings, he warned that such actions were
capable of jeopardising progresses so far made in the national
response to the health crisis.
“Similarly emphasized is the need for states to diligently
implement and enforce compliance. Particularly, I underscored the
need for the Governors to provide personal and strong leadership,
carry the policy of community ownership to the grass roots and
create deeper awareness.
“Governors were also advised on the decision taken by some of
their colleagues to permit large gatherings as such decisions could
inadvertently endanger the elderly, the sick and those with
underlying factors during such gatherings. The strong advisory from
the PTF is that large gatherings beyond twenty persons remains
prohibited and should be adhered to”, warned.
The SGF also announced that the PTF would be working with the
National Assembly, especially as the House of Representatives, in
its bid to further emphasise the seriousness government attached to
the fight against COVID-19, inaugurated an Ad-Hoc Committee on
COVID-19.
“The PTF on COVID-19 is pleased to inform you that in order to
underscore the seriousness attached to this COVID-19 pandemic, the
House of Representatives has set up an Ad-Hoc COVID-19
Committee.
“In deepening the existing collaborative spirit, we shall work
together with the legislature to be more productive and add value
to the overall delivery of service to Nigerians on behalf of whom
we hold our responsibility in trust”, he said.
He noted that the PTF had consistently answered questions and
provided explanations on the categories of persons and services
exempted from some aspects of these guidelines particularly as it
relates to restrictions on inter- state movement and curfew.
According to him, for the avoidance of doubt, essential workers
including medical personnel, journalists, fire service personnel,
telecommunications workers, are all exempted.
He said the Inspector General of Police has further clarified
the categories of essential workers in alignment with the
guidelines and has issued instructions to security agents to work
on the approved exemptions.
“With this clarification, we sincerely hope that the persistent
complaints of harassment by these categories of essential workers,
especially medical personnel and journalists would be put to rest
so that we can harmoniously work in battling this pandemic.
“The PTF COVID-19 urges all essential workers to go about their
legitimate businesses carrying with them valid means of
identification and to exercise courtesy in approaching security
personnel. I sincerely apologise for the inconveniences”, he
said.
* Beware Of Relaxing Restrictions, Ensure No Gathering Of
Over 20 Persons
* Reps set up ad-hoc committee
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the Novel Coronavirus
(COVID-19) Pandemic has raised the alarm that Nigerians had started
stockpiling unprescribed chloroquine in large quantities.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman
of the PTF, Mr Boss Mustapha, who raised the alarm on Thursday
during the daily media briefing by the task force in Abuja,
however, warned that this development was another danger on its
own.
The SGF noted that the drug had not been certified for the
treatment of COVID-19, even as he warned that self-medication of
any kind, especially in the case with the COVID-19 disease, could
only increase casualties numbers.
The Chairman of the task force also advised state governors to
be careful how the breach the guidelines issued by the PTF,
especially with regards to allowing large gatherings, warning that
gatherings crowds larger that 20 persons in one place remained
prohibited.
“Through the surveillance system set up by the PTF, we have
received reports that Nigerians have been purchasing
Hydrxoychloroquine in large quantities. We wish to reiterate that
this drug has not being certified for use in treating COVID-19 in
Nigeria by the relevant health and pharmaceutical authorities.
“Self-medication of any kind, is fraught with the danger of
increasing risks of avoidable casualties. We, therefore strongly
warn against self-medication. If you are sick, please seek medical
advice and if you are confirmed positive, kindly self-isolate in an
approved facility. The COVID-19 is highly infectious and
dangerous”, he said.
On the action of some state governors , who had been making
proclamations in breach of PTF’s guidelines, especially with
respect to mass gatherings, he warned that such actions were
capable of jeopardising progresses so far made in the national
response to the health crisis.
“Similarly emphasized is the need for states to diligently
implement and enforce compliance. Particularly, I underscored the
need for the Governors to provide personal and strong leadership,
carry the policy of community ownership to the grass roots and
create deeper awareness.
“Governors were also advised on the decision taken by some of
their colleagues to permit large gatherings as such decisions could
inadvertently endanger the elderly, the sick and those with
underlying factors during such gatherings. The strong advisory from
the PTF is that large gatherings beyond twenty persons remains
prohibited and should be adhered to”, warned.
The SGF also announced that the PTF would be working with the
National Assembly, especially as the House of Representatives, in
its bid to further emphasise the seriousness government attached to
the fight against COVID-19, inaugurated an Ad-Hoc Committee on
COVID-19.
“The PTF on COVID-19 is pleased to inform you that in order to
underscore the seriousness attached to this COVID-19 pandemic, the
House of Representatives has set up an Ad-Hoc COVID-19
Committee.
“In deepening the existing collaborative spirit, we shall work
together with the legislature to be more productive and add value
to the overall delivery of service to Nigerians on behalf of whom
we hold our responsibility in trust”, he said.
He noted that the PTF had consistently answered questions and
provided explanations on the categories of persons and services
exempted from some aspects of these guidelines particularly as it
relates to restrictions on inter- state movement and curfew.
According to him, for the avoidance of doubt, essential workers
including medical personnel, journalists, fire service personnel,
telecommunications workers, are all exempted.
He said the Inspector General of Police has further clarified
the categories of essential workers in alignment with the
guidelines and has issued instructions to security agents to work
on the approved exemptions.
“With this clarification, we sincerely hope that the persistent
complaints of harassment by these categories of essential workers,
especially medical personnel and journalists would be put to rest
so that we can harmoniously work in battling this pandemic.
“The PTF COVID-19 urges all essential workers to go about their
legitimate businesses carrying with them valid means of
identification and to exercise courtesy in approaching security
personnel. I sincerely apologise for the inconveniences”, he
said.