Thread by @DigiCommsNG

Today’s #PTFCOVID19 Press Briefing has started. It’s live on @channelstv @NTANewsNow and others.

Follow a #Livetweeting on this handle

“The #PTFCOVID19 finds it very necessary to appeal to our Law Enforcement Agencies to deploy tact and caution in the course of enforcing the rules, even, in the face of provocation.” — SGF, and Chairman of Task Force, Boss Mustapha

“We similarly appeal to all Nigerians to be law abiding, exercise patience and self-restraint. The message from Mr. President is that no Nigerian should on account of these rules suffer any harm or pains during this period or at any time in our national life.” — Boss Mustapha

“We must test for #Covid19 quickly without compromising on standards. As much as speed is important, (accuracy) is also important, and we have to find a balance.” — @NCDCgov DG, @Chikwe_I

“One more Testing Lab has been added to Nigeria’s #Covid19 Test Network. The new Lab is the Biosecurity Facility in Lagos State. (So Lagos now has 3 Labs). Later today we will activate a Lab in Abuja, and then Kano will be next.” — @Chikwe_I

BREAKING: Nigeria now has EIGHT (8) Labs for testing for #Covid19. A new Lab opened in Lagos this morning.

.@Chikwe_I: We must not raise Testing expectations to unrealistic limits. We’re limited not just by funds or infrastructure; our biggest limitation is actually personnel, people who have already been trained in molecular diagnostics. You cannot train people overnight. #PTFCOVID19

Min of Aviation @hadisirika, clarifying some exemptions regarding #Covid19 flight restrictions:

—Cargo flights will continue, but they must front-load packing lists.

—Oil & gas industry operational flights (carrying personnel and equipment) exempted from flight restrictions.

Minister @GeoffreyOnyeama: We have sent communication to all our Embassies and Missions to ascertain if and how many Nigerians want to return home because of #COVID19. As soon as we collate the numbers, we will start looking at evacuation modalities where necessary.
#PTFCOVID19

Minister @GeoffreyOnyeama, speaking at #PTFCOVID19: Our Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna has been able to secure from @iaeaorg a donation of 80,000 Euros worth of medical equipment and supplies to assist in our #Covid19 Response.

.@Chikwe_I: All the focus this week has been to improve the levels of contact tracing, taking advantage of the #lockdown. In Lagos the lockdown has been especially helpful for our contact tracing. #PTFCOVID19

.@Chikwe_I: We never deploy anything without validating its use. The Jack Ma Test kits are being evaluated at the moment, once we are sure the results are the same quality as what we have been seeing from existing tests, we will deploy them. #PTFCOVID19

.@Chikwe_I: Nigeria has been contact-tracing a total of 6,700 contacts in all; 71% of them have been followed up as of yesterday. Also note that people ‘graduate’ out of contact-tracing after 14 days, if they show no symptoms. #PTFCOVID19

SGF: Following the Presidential approval for the release of 70,000 Metric Tonnes from the Strategic Grain Reserves, as part of palliative measures—I am pleased to announce that the Minister of Agriculture has approved the restocking of the Reserves with 100,000MT #PTFCOVID19

Minister of Health @DrEOEhanire: “The Coronavirus Treatment Center Accreditation Committee was inaugurated yesterday by the Hon. Minister of State for Health & has begun developing an accreditation checklist, as well as a protocol for management of isolation centres.” #PTFCOVID19

.@DrEOEhanire: “We are compiling a list of trained health workers to man Centres as they become operational.” #PTFCOVID19

.@DrEOEhanire: “Directors of @Fmohnigeria have had discussions with @TradeInvestNG, to explore potentials for local production of medical consumables such as face masks, gloves, sanitizers, and even equipment like ventilators.” #PTFCOVID19