By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has directed private and public schools to shut down as a proactive measure against coronavirus in the territory.
FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, gave the directive in a meeting with heads of Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) under the administration.
A statement issued by Austine Elemue, media aide to the minister, said both public and private schools in the territory should be shot down until further notice.
The minister also directed that social gatherings and worship centres should be restricted to avoid large gatherings that could further endanger the health of others.
She said shop owners should provide preventive measures, which according to her, those who fail to provide hand sanitizers will be closed down indefinitely.
According to her, “we should not endanger the lives of children for whatsoever reasons. You know, when these children are in schools, they pick up anything and put them in their mouths without taking precautions of washing their hands. Therefore, the best and safer thing to do is to close down the schools for a week, two or even a month pending on the outcome.
“It might interest you to know that some states have gone ahead of us by closing down schools and we in the Federal Capital Territory, the seat of government cannot fold our hands and watch helplessly. As a matter of fact, as from tomorrow being Friday, all public and private schools in the territory should be closed down indefinitely.
“In the same vein, social gatherings and worship centres should be restricted to avoid large crowds because of body contact. Health officers will ensure that shop owners who fail to put in preventive measures will be closed down”.
Aliyu, however, stated that sensitization would be intensified in all the six Area Councils across the territory to prevent possible outbreak of the disease.
On his part, the Acting Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Iwot Ndaeyo, said the board will mobilize all the stakeholders in the rural communities to drive the campaign.
