FG orders compulsory COVID-19 tests for corps members

The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered compulsory COVID-19 tests for all prospective corps members ahead of the November 10, 2020 reopening of orientation camps nationwide.

Orientation camps were shut in March as part of measures to halt the spread of coronavirus.

• NYSC orientation exercise resumes November 10
• FG okays full reopening of schools, NYSC camps

National Coordinator, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu, at a briefing in Abuja on Thursday, said: “We’ve developed guidelines with the NCDC and the NYSC in the preparation for the reopening of the orientation camps on the 10th of November, 2020.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, PTF, Boss Mustapha, said his team had concluded arrangements to test additional 100,000 corps members at the various NYSC orientation camps nationwide on resumption.

He said the PTF had also concluded arrangements to execute the National Testing Week as part of the arrangements to ramp up testing.

Earlier in a statement, NYSC spokesperson, Adenike Adeyemi, said the reopening of orientation camps was sequel to the announcement by the Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare that the scheme could go ahead and resume its activities.

She said the NYSC management had urged all prospective corps members to adhere strictly to COVID-19 protocols while in camps in order to have a hitch-free orientation course.