It, however, advised that the reopening should be done in phases or staged so as to avoid another outbreak of COVID-19 especially on vulnerable groups who are returning back to schools.

It could be recalled that the Federal Government in March shut down schools across the country, as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, with the number in cases declining, the Federal Government on August 4, 2020 announced the resumption of SS3 and JSS 3, so as to write this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination, which was slated for August 17, 2020, through September 12, 2020.

But speaking on Thursday during a briefing at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu said the task force recommends phased return of students.

Aliyu said, “For educational institutions which include daycare, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Educational institutions should begin the process of working towards potentially reopening within this phase.

“However, strongly recommend that states conduct risk assessment to ensure all schools are at a level of compliance and create a monitoring mechanism to assess and create and monitor this level of preparedness.

“Meanwhile, all daycares and educational institutions to remain closed to in-classes until this level of risk is assessed. And if there will be opening of schools, it must be staged and preferably carried out in phases to ensure that this does not pose a risk to the general public and in particular to vulnerable groups that might end up getting infected by students going back home.”

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha issued this warning at the task force daily media briefing on Monday in Abuja.

He further advised that the daily low test and case confirmation numbers should not be misinterpreted to mean that Nigeria has overcome, stating that Nigeria has yet to reach the peak of the pandemic.

He said the government has over time ramped up testing but there was more to be done to raise the quantum of test per million.

The PTF chairman said an analysis showed that five states still account for 60 per cent of cumulative cases and 689 out of the 774 local government areas (LGAs) have reported at least one case.

Mustapha also decried that 85 LGAs in 20 states remain with no testing done and no case reported while 50 per cent of all the cases were in 20 per cent of the nation’s LGAs.

He, however, noted that the PTF was happy that many survivors were telling their stories and sharing them on social media.

Mustapha believes the stories of those who he said doubted the existence of the virus and became infected and are now expressing appreciation for the timely intervention of the case management team, have provided compelling proof that the virus is real.

He, therefore, called on the people to continue to observe all existing measures towards curbing the further spread of the disease in the country.

Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu disclosed this on Monday at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja.

Ihekweazu, who noted that most Nigerians lament that using face masks is stressful, however, said wearing face masks is less cumbersome when compared to being on a ventilator.

“Wearing a mask may seem very cumbersome but I promise you that it is less cumbersome than being on a ventilator.

“Over the last few weeks, many of you may have heard stories of survivors but there are many stories that could have been told that you have not heard, stories of those that have passed away,” he said.

The NCDC boss also advised Nigerians of the need to take responsibility by ensuring safe to ensure that their lives and those of their loved ones are preserved.

While calling on the masses to do their best in protecting each other, Ihekweazu commended frontline health workers for their commitment in the Federal Government’s fight against the coronavirus.

According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic involves the efforts of everyone, not just the government alone.

Speaking further, the NCDC boss asked everyone not to throw caution in the wind amid the rising cases of the infection in the country.

Update soon…