The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday reiterated its warning against non-essential travels both locally and internationally.
It advised Nigerians abroad to remain wherever they are or stand the risk of being stranded in the country should the government takes a decision on international travels.
The task force also reiterated its call for Nigerians at home to be cautious as Christmas approaches.
It warned against activities such as Christmas Carol.
Speaking at the daily briefing of the task force in Abuja on Monday, Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, stated that the PTF was increasing its surveillance and testing drive to ensure the spread of the virus was contained as the Yultide approaches.
He said the PTF will continue to remind Nigerians that all non-essential trips should be put off this December, adding “This is for your safety and good health.”
Mustapha noted that the global number of COVID-19 infections crossed 63 million on Sunday, November 29, 2020, adding that in Africa, Nigeria ranked 5th for both the highest cumulative cases and deaths.
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While acknowledging the progress made in the development of a vaccine against the virus, the SGF said it was still important for the citizens to continue to comply with the non-pharmaceutical interventions before the vaccines would become available.
He said the PTF was already working on the strategy for gaining access to the vaccine as soon as any is available.
In his comments, the National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr. Sani Aliyu also advised Nigerians abroad to shelve any plans of coming home, urging them to celebrate Christmas and New Year wherever they are.
“Nigerians outside the country, hopefully they will stay where they are. And for Nigerians in-country, we will also stay where we are,” he said.
Aliyu disclosed that for every 1,000 passengers coming into the country, the nation records 10 positive cases of COVID-19.
He pleaded, “Please, for this period, if your travel is not essential, stay where you are. We are actively discouraging Nigerians abroad from coming home this Christmas because of COVID-19 and the number of infections we have outside the country.
“So, the message is; if you do not want to get stranded, if you do not want to bring COVID-19 to your elderly relatives in Nigeria, please stay where you are. There will be other holidays.”
On his part, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Chikwe Ihekweazu said Christmas carols, travels and other gatherings during festivities were capable of turning out to be “super spreaders” of the virus, hence the need for Nigerians to avoid them as much as possible.
His words: “This is really to re-emphasise the call by the PTF that many of the traditional meetings that we engage in at this time of the year, whether they are Christmas carols or festivals, trips, family gatherings, each of those could end up being a super spreader event. So, we must take this into consideration as we make our choices.”
Ihekweazu said a travel advisory has been issued detailing why both local and international travels must be avoided unless they are absolutely necessary.
