President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the lifespan of Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 pandemic till March 2021.
The decision was taken as a result of the emergence of the second wave of coronavirus the world is currently battling.
The President made this known when he received members of PTF, who were at the State House to submit end of the year 2020 report regarding the pandemic to him.
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According to him, Nigeria cannot afford to lose the gains of the past nine months in the fight against the pandemic.
He expressed;
There is also the need to speedily and strategically access and administer the COVID vaccine in a safe, effective and timely manner. This is an important obligation that we owe Nigerians as we go into the year 2021, and it must be carried out through efficient machinery.
Now is the time for collective efforts to be intensified. I, therefore, urge all sub-national entities, traditional rulers, religious and leaders of thought to collaborate with the PTF by taking up the responsibility for risk communication and community engagement at all levels.
Buhari added;
As the festive season approaches, I urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and stay safe. Non-essential trips and large social gatherings should be avoided or shelved completely.
The President established the Task Force on March 9, 2020 and their mandate was initially to end December 31, 2020. With the new update, the existence of PTF would be reviewed by March 2021.
