Intra-state travels have continued to aid community transmission of coronavirus despite the presidential lockdown order in some states and the directives of some state governors restricting movements.
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This is the worry of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 as expressed during the daily briefing of the team in Abuja.
The national coordinator of the Presidential Task Force, Sani Aliyu, said this during the daily press briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic in Abuja.
He stated:
We have noticed that community spread of the virus is now being traced to people embarking on intra-state travel. We need to try and restrict our movement in order to stop the spread of the virus.
Aliyu stressed that restriction of intra-state travel has become more important than ever with the news of people being smuggled within and out of Lagos, saying that it was hampering the efforts being made to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Also, he explained the need for donors to comply with the protocols of health and safety as they distribute palliatives in the local communities, emphasizing the need to conform to social distancing while making donations.
Aliu stated:
It is a serious public safety concern when donors don’t adhere to safety and health protocols. I enjoin donors to ensure that the physical guidance restrictions we have are abided by.
He said that donors should, however, liaise with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to ensure that donations are relevant to what is needed to fight the pandemic.
On his part, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, warned against violation of the order imposed by President Muhammadu Buhari on the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States.
The SGF said:
Compliance with the advisories for personal hygiene, social distancing, restriction of movement, early reporting of symptoms and wearing of masks regularly, especially in public, remain the best measures for the prevention of infections and to slow down the spread.
Let me also advise that whenever you are outside the confines of your homes, make sure it is for very legitimate reasons covered by the exemption or within the hours relaxed for the purchase of basic items. Similarly, you should carry with you a valid means of identification.
