Task Force raises alarm over COVID-19 confirmed cases being smuggled out of Lagos

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Thursday raised an alarm that persons confirmed to have tested positive for the dreaded virus are crossing state boundaries despite the lockdown in place in several states.

The national coordinator in the fight against COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, raised the alarm on Thursday at a press briefing organised by the PTF in Abuja, adding that persons were being smuggled in trucks out of Lagos.

He said: “We have noticed that community spread is now being traced from people travelling across state borders. We need to restrict our movement in order to stop the spread of coronavirus infection.

“This is particularly pertinent with regard to the news of people being smuggled in trucks out of Lagos.”

Aliyu also called on donors of palliatives to work with the task force for synergy.

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“I would like to highlight the need for donors to safeguard life and basic health protocols during the distribution of palliatives within local communities.

“It is important that they maintain health and safety. The rise of aggressive behaviour and non-conformity to physical distancing is unacceptable and a major risk to our communities”, he said.

Aliyu further stated that the collaboration of donors with the PTF will ensure that donations are relevant to the needs of the health workers and the vulnerable.

“We need to make sure we do not purchase substandard goods or put quality assurance standards aside in the process of trying to increase our resources for the response.

“This is particularly valid for state governments as they go on to purchase PPEs for the health care workers and frontline staff”, he said.

The PTF national coordinator further appealed to COVID-19 survivors to tell their stories at their own discretion for the purpose of removing the stigma and discrimination associated with the illness.

He however said it was important to continue to respect privacy.

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