Following the rise in cases of the COVID-19 in Kano State, the Federal Government has said it would assist the state manage the situation to stop further spread.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said this on Friday in Abuja at the 14th joint national briefing of the PTF on COVID-19.
The Kano State government had in response to the development imposed a lockdown and curfew in the state.
“Recent data released by the NCDC has shown a rise in the number of cases in Kano. The PTF will visit the state to evaluate the state of readiness and to guide the authorities in the management of the situation,” Mustapha said.
He also announced that the Federal Government has developed the protocols on points of entry for Nigerians clamouring to return from abroad and that arrangements have been finalised to bring them home.
He said: “As you are aware, so many Nigerians are clamouring to return home. While we are finalising arrangements for their evacuation, isolation and testing, I am pleased to inform you that the PTF has developed the protocol on points of entry that will address this development going forward. Details will be unveiled subsequently.”
He also warned all purveyors of fake news capable of misleading the public and causing distraction in the nation’s collective effort to fight the COVID-19 war.
He said, “The objective of the restriction orders is to save the lives of Nigerians from the pandemic and not to cause pains. The Police and other services have launched investigations into the various reports and the Presidential Task Force shall update you when it is concluded.”
He also said that returning the nation to normalcy is depended on the success it will achieve in the fight to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
“This virus has no vaccine. Success will mean a return to normalcy and we can only claim victory when: Cases are no longer increasing; we have no unknown sources for cases; deaths are no longer increasing; more admissions are discharged. The only path to these is your full collaboration and compliance,” he added.
