'No Need To Take Tests, Stay At Home If You Have COVID-19 Symptoms' - Aliyu To Resuming Students

Following the reopening of schools in the country, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has said that students who are displaying COVID-19 symptoms should stay back home.

The advice came during the press briefing by the PTF in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking on the mandatory test result to be submitted by resuming students, an order by the Ogun State Government, the national coordinator of the PTF, Sani Aliyu said that it was only for a period of time, "for that point in time when you had the swab taken," and that it is possible for the person to test positive the next day.

He stated that the most important thing is to check for symptoms and check the temperature of the students, which is far "more useful than doing COVID-19 test before" resumption.

Aliyu said, “It is only valid for that period of time; for that point in time when you had the swab taken. The next day, you could have a positive result, especially if you are in an incubation period.

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“It is far more important to monitor for symptoms and check for temperature, and make sure that students that have symptoms of cough or any other respiratory symptoms are told to stay back at home and seek medical attention.

“This is far more useful than doing COVID-19 test before they resume. It is safer as well to monitor the students rather than test them at a particular point in time.

“I will like to also remind us all of the safety guidelines for the eased lockdown phase two, which we are currently in and this will continue to be in place until Thursday, August 6, when we will announce a new protocol for the third phase.
“The PTF will like to appeal to state governments and religious bodies to proactively prevent transmission of the virus by continuing to advocate and practise the approved preventive measures and guidelines. Specifically, we urge businesses that are reopening to align themselves to our efforts by establishing and practising COVID-sensitive business precautionary measures.”