The Federal Government has said that some religious bodies are turning deaf ears to the protocols set aside for the preventive measures of COVID-19, by having uncontrolled gatherings.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, stated this on Thursday, December 10, 2020 in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the task force.
Mustapha has demanded for the need to strengthen roles of enforcement, set down rules in order to curb this act as the virus is said to have returned due to rising numbers of cases.
According to Mustapha, the PTF had continued to work with relevant stakeholders on issues arising from the aftermath of the virus COVID-19, including other important cases like gender-based violence, use of drug and mental health.
“We have observed, rather sadly, that Nigerians, particularly some faith-based organisations, have continued to hold events of large gatherings capable of spreading the virus.
“The PTF urges all sub-national entities that signed the protocols with these organisations, and have primary responsibility for enforcing the protocols, to step up their roles of enforcement,” Mustapha said.
In addition to this, it has been confirmed that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Thursday night has confirmed 675 new cases of COVID-19 infections across 15 states, with the fatality toll rising to 1,190.
