The Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce Team on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has apologised to Nigerians for the violation of its guidelines on the burial of late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.
This, he made known during the daily briefing on the global pandemic on Monday.
Recall that the late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari died of Coronavirus on Friday and was buried on Saturday 18th April 2020 with many people attending the burial and who did not practice social distancing as directed by the National Center for Disease Control, NCDC.
He said, ” it is regrettable that social distancing was not observed during the burial.
“The PTD recognises regrettably the unintentional violation of the principles and protocols that form the core of our messages to Nigerians at the funeral of the late Chief of Staff.”
“These principles for emphasis include guidance provided on mass gatherings, social distancing, personal hygiene and restriction of movement. Lessons have been learnt and appropriate measures have been taken to close all gaps” he said.
The Presidency and the team came under heavy criticism from Nigerians when the rules which the NCDC made was not followed by the presidency.
While some asked if some were immune to the virus, others asked if some were more Nigerian than others.
As of 20th April 2020, the number of positive cases in Nigeria was 665 with 188 people recovered and discharged.