COVID-19: Presidential Task Force apologises to Nigerians for breach of NCDC guidelines during Kyari’s burial (Video)

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Monday apologised to Nigerians for the breach of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines during the burial of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

Kyari, who died on Friday at the First Cardiology Consultants, Lagos, was buried at the Gudu Cemetery, Abuja, Saturday.

The task force said in a video that the non-adherence to the physical distancing directive and the flouting of mass gathering restrictions at the cemetery were due to lack of crowd control measures.

The panel admitted its mistakes and promised that future events would be adequately regulated in accordance with the NCDC protocols.

It, however, added that the body of the late Kyari was prepared for burial in line with the NCDC interim guidelines for the safe management of a deceased person with COVID-19 infection.

The task force said: “The burial of the late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, on 18 April 2020, has attracted a lot of concerns from Nigerians over the non-adherence to the physical distancing measures and mass gathering restrictions at the Gudu Cemetery.

“The non-observance of physical distancing and the flouting of mass gathering restrictions at the cemetery were due to the failure of crowd control measures.

“We acknowledge that mistakes were made, we have learnt from these mistakes and would ensure that future events are adequately regulated in accordance with the Presidential Task Force and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols.

“It is, however, important to state that the body of the late Chief of Staff, who died on 17 April 2020, was prepared for burial in line with the NCDC interim guidelines for the safe management of a deceased person with COVID-19 infection.

“As a matter of fact, the body of anyone who dies from COVID-19 infection will not be released for burial without following these guidelines

READ ALSO: Lagos to enforce use of face mask from next week (Video)

“Consequently, the body of the late Chief of Staff was thoroughly decontaminated, put in a body bag and then a sealed coffin in Lagos before being flown to Abuja. On arrival in Abuja, all safety measures required to protect those handling the body were strictly adhered to, from the plane to the burial ground. At no time was the body openly exposed to the environment.

“It is worth noting that while COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is significantly less infectious when compared to Ebola or Lassa fever, the protocols for safe burial must still be strictly followed.

“The incidents that were recorded after the burial, which may have compromised due to safety procedures, have been duly recognized and correct steps taken to limit any risk to the public.” Watch the video below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_NsbDvgFmm/

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