COVID-19: Slide into complacency can be fatal, FG warns

THE Federal Government has warned that the deadly coronavirus is still around and that slide into complacency in the country can be very fatal for the nation.

Secretary to the Goverment of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PTF), Mr Boss Mustapha, gave the warning on Monday during the national briefing of the Committee.

He said there is the need for serious caution and adherence to the non-pharmaceutical intervention measures, vaccination and protocols on self-isolation.

“The coronavirus is still very much around us and it is virulent and deadly,” he said.

At the event Mustapha introduced Dr Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa, the newly-appointed Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) who will be taking over from Dr Chikwe Ihekwaezu from 1st November 2021, saying he is currently understudying the incumbent and learning the ropes on the national response.

Mustapha said: “Global cases have been on a decline for some time now but there’s a need for more caution, especially among Nigerians.

“The PSC has observed that caution is needed rather than over-confidence and that there is a decline of suspicion index among doctors. 

“To slide into complacency can be very fatal, hence the need for serious caution and adherence to the non-pharmaceutical intervention measures, vaccination and protocols on self-isolation.

“The PSC has taken note of the challenges raised by travellers that visit the National International Travel Portal in compliance with travel protocols.

“It has similarly noted with dismay, fraudulent activities perpetrated at our international airports by on-duty staff who extort money out of those who equally wish to evade quarantine requirement.

“The authorities are conducting necessary investigation into various reports received.

“Notable progress is still being made in the area of vaccine. Over 3.5 million doses of Pfizer is being expected from the US Government this month while about 4 million doses of Astrazeneca is being expected early next month.

“Nigeria will be receiving over 1 million doses of J&J shipments on a monthly basis.

“The PSC is committed to access enough vaccines for the 70% eligible persons in the country in record time.

“The South-South Geo-Political Zone Town Hall Meeting was held on Saturday, 25th September, 2021 in Benin City to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination programme in the country and get the view and commitment of the leaders and people in our efforts to protect Nigerians against the pandemic.

“We encourage the people to come out and take the vaccine as well as take the responsibility to mobilise our families and communities to get vaccinated and continue to observe the NPIs to prevent further spread of the virus.

“Remember, “No One is Safe until everyone is Safe.”

“On the United Kingdom advisory on COVID-19 vaccines and changes to International Travel Rules, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria has stated that the UK government of course supports the vaccination programme in the country with vaccines irrespective of where they were manufactured.

“They will however open up international travels using a standardized COVID-19 vaccination certification process to allow for ease of travels from countries – Nigeria inclusive,” he said.

 

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