The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has mandated schools to carry out weekly risk assessments while states and local governments are to conduct monthly and quarterly risk assessments in preparation for the re-opening of schools.
This was announced by the Head of the Department of Surveillance and Epidemiology, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Elsie Ilori, at the joint PTF briefing on COVID-19.
She said, โWe have also continued to review the situation in other countries that have reopened schools. We also receive guidance from WHO and other public health authorities.
โIf schools carefully coordinate, plan and put the required safety measures in place before reopening, there is a 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.
โThe 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. This will help to promptly address the gaps that may exist in reducing the risk of COVID-19 spread in schools.
โBeyond this, local governments have been advised to set up multi-sectoral school health committees dedicated to supporting and monitoring the implementation of safety protocols in the schools.”
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