Dr Sani Aliyu, the National Coordinator, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has advised schools to send back home children with respiratory symptoms consistent with coronavirus pandemic to reduce risk of transmission.
Aliyu gave the advice on Monday at the COVID-19 National briefing in Abuja.
Addressing issues on school reopening, he reiterated that PTF would like to re-emphasise adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions by schools, particularly screening and heightening awareness with regards to COVID-19, following issues it had with Lagos State over outbreaks in some schools.
“Any student presenting with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, particularly respiratory symptoms or fever, should not be allowed to come to school.
”When teachers notice a child with respiratory symptoms, the child should be sent back home so that we can reduce the risk of transmission.
”Just as it is important to communicate effectively with parents, staff, school health teams should be creating protocols and providing regular updates on any change to the school procedures as it relates to COVID.
“We encourage schools to continue to consider creative solutions to abide by our COVID guidelines including staggered learning to avoid overcrowding, platooning, daily attendance and adjusting teachings among others”, he said.
