This is coming barely 48 hours after Nigeria confirmed its third case of Coronavirus in a woman who just returned from the UK. Officials have been timely in reporting the updates from confirmed Coronavirus cases.
The official NYSC handle has now shared a report, saying that the camps nationwide have been closed because of the virus. The statement added that corps members will be posted to their place of primary assignments and will reconvene when the threat of the virus has passed.
They wrote on their official social media channels: “NYSC suspends 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Orientation Course
“Sequel to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic which led to the cancellation of the National Sports Festival, Management of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme wishes to announce the suspension of the on-going Orientation Course for the 2020 Batch “A” Stream 1 Corps Members.
“Therefore, the Corps Members shall be posted to commence their primary assignments forthwith, while they shall be invited back to the Orientation Camps when the situation improves, just like it happened a few years ago when the Nation was confronted by the Ebola virus threat.
“Management wishes to state that no Corps Member or Camp Official has contracted the virus, Thank you.
“MANAGEMENT”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B93Y6A2lKgv/
Corps members and members of the public have taken to social media to react to the news, bashing NYSC for opening the camps in the first place and expressing panic that several people may have caught the virus.
See some reactions below:
I honestly believe all nysc Corps Members should be left in camp, at this moment it is quite safer for them. Movement in and out the camp can be controlled.
Now risk of contacting the virus is high because of everyone will intend to travel.#nysc #COVID19
— Olamilekan Samuel (@Neurosam1) March 18, 2020
NYSC camp can’t be fun to everyone. Some people can conveniently have fun despite the rigorous exercises while some can’t even withstand the whole tasks, so stop saying the #nysc camp is the interesting part.
If camp has to be suspended to save people, then it’s a smart decision
— Tife ??? (@Tife_fabunmi) March 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/Kingtanda/status/1240157602341937152?s=20
Are you telling me my friend that traveled to JIGAWA from Ibadan will go back there to the orientation camp after the whole stuff? #nysc
— seyi? (@sheyisleekk) March 18, 2020
#NYSC shouldn't have opened camp, especially on the back of recommendations by WHO experts on aggressive mitigation after their assessment trip to China that included our @NCDCgov @Chikwe_I. Today @officialnyscng has closed all camps nationwide! #Coronavirus https://t.co/bYSJ9aHLgv
— Oghenekevwe Oghenechovwen (@ChovwenKevwe) March 18, 2020
Do you think this is a good or a bad idea? Do you think NYSC should never have opened the camp in the first place? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
As always, remember to practice safe measures during this time. Wash your hands, use alcohol-based sanitizers and keep a distance of five feet away from sick people.
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