The Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, has cautioned states planning to reopen schools, to learn from experiences of the United States of America, Germany and others, where similar action led to a spike in number of reported cases.
He said this at the committee’s press briefing yesterday in Abuja.
Mustapha revealed that the committee will submit its seventh interim report to President Muhammadu Buhari during the week, and disclose decisions reached on the next phase of the lockdown on Thursday.
He said, “As we plan to re-open more sectors, we must stay the course and stick with our winning strategy which is anchored on the ability of our health institutions to contain the virus while we as citizens wear our masks properly, stay away from crowded places, avoid mass gatherings, maintain simple hygienic practices and as much as possible protect the elderly and most vulnerable to this pandemic.
READ ALSO: Update: No casualties in Fagba explosion – LASEMA DG
“It is in the above context that the PTF appreciates the ongoing calls for re-opening of the education sector and indeed some sub-nationals are already making preparations for such.
“Whilst the PTF does not discourage making such preparations, we need to be guided by experiences from countries such as Germany, France, the United States and the UK where opening of schools in some cities led to an increase in confirmed cases and fatalities.
“As we end this phase, the PTF would be submitting the seventh interim report to Mr President and would be guided by his directives on the next phase.
“The decisions and approval would be transmitted at the national briefing on Thursday, September 3, 2020.”
