Federal Government has warned that the cases of coronavirus in Nigeria will increase due to ongoing nationwide protest against the extrajudicial activities of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, issued the warning during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja on Monday.
According to him, despite the appreciable success recorded so far in the fight against COVID-19 in the country, the ongoing #EndSARS protests will definitely increase the infection in the coming weeks.
“I can say it authoritatively that with the ongoing protests across the country, in the next two weeks the cases of COVID-19 would have increased. Each and everyone that attended the protests and did not put up any form of protection are likely going to spread the virus. When people contract the virus during the protest gathering, they will go back home and spread it.
“This is one of the reasons we must be extremely careful when we congregate because when you gather together in such an atmosphere where people don’t wear face masks or maintain social distance you are creating potential opportunity for carriers to spread the virus.
“So far we have done pretty well as a country but this protest is like a setback and we must avoid a situation where we will have resurgence. Countries that thought they have overcome are dealing with second wave. We are extremely lucky as a nation and we should be careful of any situation that can warrant second wave.”
KanyiDaily recalls that last week, FCT Authorities banned ongoing #EndSARS protests in Abuja for alleged violation of the COVID-19 protocols.