Abba Kyari: Presidential c’ittee apologises to Nigerians over non-adherence to physical distancing measures
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has acknowledged its mistakes during the burial of late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja, over the weekend.
There were flak for the committee from wide spectrum of Nigerians when it was observed that social distancing and other measures were not adhered to during the burial ceremony of Malam Kyari.
The Task Force is, therefore, seeking forgiveness from Nigerians, with assurances that laxity would not be repeated in the future.
READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2020/04/20/2-african-countries-among-15-nations-without-covid-19/
In a statement personally issued by chairman of the committee and Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, he 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.
“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.
READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2020/04/20/in-case-you-dont-know-north-koreas-abhorrence-for-blue-jeans/
“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 safety procedures, have been duly recognised and correct steps taken to limit any risk to the public.”
