By Balogun Damilola
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the COVID-19 Pandemic has raised concerns that states across the country were already running out of bed spaces at treatment centres.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the PTF, Mr Boss Mustapha, who disclosed this during Friday’s daily media briefing by the task force in Abuja.
He also informed that the noted that necessary adjustments would soon be adopted to address the concern.
The SGF also pointed out the fact that the PTF had continued to observe consistent violation of the advisories and guidelines issued to guide public conducts and activities during the ongoing national response efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
He, however revealed that the task force had met with security agencies and had reached a couple of resolutions that should be adopted to help strict compliance to the guidelines and protocols so that the national response efforts could yield desired results.
On the concern over the fast depleting bed spaces in treatment centres across the states, the SGF said “we have also received Reports from the States, which suggests that the treatment centres are running out of bed spaces.
“As we assess the situation, the PTF shall also begin to examine our peculiar circumstances, modify the strategies for care management and consider viable alternatives, where necessary. At the appropriate time, the guidelines and protocols shall be unfolded,” he said.
On the observed continued violation of guidelines, especially with regards with inter-state travels and night curfew, Mustapha said the task force had met with security agencies, adding that decisions were made, all of which were pointing towards adoption of strict enforcement.
“The PTF has intensified the monitoring of the level of compliance with the advisories and guidelines already issued. The outcome of our surveillance still point to the fact that violations are still rampant and as I have always pointed out, portends a very dangerous trend.
“The PTF has been consulting with the Security Agencies and arrived at the conclusion that strict enforcement should be adopted. As part of the conclusions of the meeting with Security Chiefs, the following were also agreed:
- to strengthen enforcement in collaboration with the States;
- All exempted persons including journalists and medical personnel should always carry a verifiable and authentic means of identification;
“Security agencies should improve monitoring of their personnel and interaction with the citizenry;
- Citizens should respect the sacrificial role of security agencies and desist from assaulting security personnel and damaging security infrastructure;
- Appropriate PPE and related protective gears will be provided for the security personnel;
“Security agencies should always respect the fundamental rights of citizens during enforcement;
- Enlightenment and awareness should be intensified; and
- If need be, revisit the strategies on the basis of spatial compliance,” he said