In a bid to ensure a safe environment for the reopening of schools nationwide, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has ordered schools to carry out weekly Coronavirus risk assessments, while schools in states and local governments would conduct monthly and quarterly assessments. Head, Department of Surveillance and Epidemiology, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Mrs. Elsie Ilori made the announcement on Thursday during the Joint PTF briefing in Abuja, saying the PTF with the assistance from The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reviewed the re-opening of schools in other countries.
"If schools carefully coordinate, plan and put the required safety measures in place before reopening, there is lesser risk of COVID-19 cases in school settings.
"We are working closely with the Federal Ministry of Education, PTF-COVID-19, States and our partners to ensure that the required safety measures are in place to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on our schools.
"The PTF-COVID-19 and Federal Ministry of Education have mandated schools to conduct periodic (weekly) risk assessments, while States and local governments are to conduct monthly and quarterly risk assessment respectively.
She also, urged parents, communities, school authorities, teacher, media and civil society organisations to help in combating further spread of the virus.
Also speaking, Dr. Sani Aliyu, PTF Coordinator explained that asking students to pay fees for the test would be " an unnecessary burden on parents as the result is only good as when it is done because anyone could contact COVID-19 after the test if proper non-pharmaceutical measures are not observed".
