The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Thursday said the train service stations would implement COVID-19 protocol similar to the airports before resumption of train service in order to tackle the pandemic.

The PTF Coordinator, Dr Sani Aliyu, while reacting to the question of the time frame for train resumption, said the stations would open when all COVID-19 safety protocols were in place.

Aliyu also said that the PTF had also discussed with the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on the need to set up similar airport protocol before the resumption of train services.

Earlier, the coordinator said every state had an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for COVID-19.

He said that most states have hotlines that Nigerians could call to report symptoms and to get advice on how they could be tested.

Aliyu said that a lot of laboratories were under utilised, their capacity far exceeds what they were getting in terms of samples for testing in the country.

This rising trend of cases requires that each state of the federation continues to prepare more bed spaces and increase sample collection sites, as well as improve logistics to deliver to designated laboratories promptly.

The government had also noted the importance of protecting the vulnerable by putting in place measures which took care of their social needs and reduce their exposure to risks of infection. (NAN)