Edo 2020: Presidential Taskforce, NCDC to monitor compliance with COVID-19 guidelines

By Albert Akota

Officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 are expected to arrive Benin City, the Edo State capital today, ahead of the commencement of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Edo 2020 to monitor compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.

In a statement, Chairman, Local Organising Committee and Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, said the Games Village will open on April 2, 2021, for athletes and officials.

Shaibu noted that the Main Organising Committee (MOC) has decided that all athletes and officials from the 35 states and the FCT, participating in the National Sports Festival must take COVID-19 tests 72 hours before arrival for the tournament.

He said, “The Games Village is to open on April 2, 2021, for athletes/officials.  Athletes/officials are to present certificates and documentation of COVID-19 tests and vaccination before they can be admitted into the Games Villages in the state.

“In line with COVID-19 protocol, the number of athletes and officials expected to participate in the games have been reduced from 14,000 to 8,000 participants,” he added.

According to him, “Officials of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) will arrive in Benin City four days prior to the commencement of the festival, to monitor compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.”

Shaibu said the state government will make provision for logistics to check the spread of COVID-19, noting, “All the non-pharmaceutical measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 will be provided for by the state government at the various venues and camps.

“Attendance at the games is strictly regulated, and the general public is advised to follow the activities across media platforms, including social platforms, as it will be streamed live,” the deputy governor added.