The management of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC in Nigeria has disclosed that the Scheme has successfully executed five Orientation Courses without COVID- 19 infractions since the beginning of COVID -19 pandemic re-opening of institutions, activities, travels etc.
This was disclosed by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the NYSC, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi while addressing journalists as the 2021 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course commences today 1st September, 2021.
Mrs Adeyemi who recalled that the NYSC commenced the re-opening of Orientation Camps in November 2020 after the emergent of COVID-19, stated that this is the sixth Orientation Course after the re-opening of camps.
She said that “it is on record and it is known now that NYSC is in partnership with the Centre for Disease Control(NCDC ) before any Orientation is approved or it takes place “.
Adenike noted that before the commencement of the the Orientation Course, a webinar organised by NYSC and NCDC for all Prospective Corps Members and everything about safety on COVID 19 measures are given to them.
She then highlighted some of the measure put in place by the scheme to ensure safe Camp re-opening include excellent partnership with the NCDC over the past year include; the presence of NCDC surveillance team and State Health Officials on NYSC Camps nationwide.
According to her, “Significant reduction in the number of participants allowed into camps nationwide, this is to create enough room for physical and social distancing.
“Rapid Diagnostic Test is administered on all Prospective Corps Members and Camp Officials before entering the camp.
She said that “vaccinated or not, everyone undergoes the compulsory COVID -19 test before entering NYSC Orientation Camps“, she added.
She further noted that “only Prospective Corps Members and Camp Officials that tested negative are admitted into the camps while those that test result are reactive or positive are taken over by the NCDC surveillance team on camp”.
Speaking further on the measures put in place by the scheme to ensure safe Camp re-opening, she said Prospective Corps Members resumes in batches over a period of five days in order to avoid crowd during registration.
Adenike hinted that, “Prospective Corps Members and Camp Officials do not come to camp with results, they are all freely tested at the camp entrance”.
She also stated that Information, Education and Communication materials are freely given to the Prospective Corps Members to educate and sensitize them on adherence to guidelines on COVID 19 Prevention.
Adenike also said “Fumigation and Decontamination of all camp facilities is done before the commencement of any Orientation Course”.
She therefore stated that with the above and compliance with all non pharmaceutical interventions, the scheme has put in place adequate measures towards safe re-opening of Orientation Camps for the 2021 Bank ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course.
Mrs Adeyemi also disclosed that to aid COVID-19 testing, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA ) donated 72,000 RDT kits while TY Danjuma Foundation also donated 60,000 COVID -19 test kits .
The Orientation Course has since commenced on 1st September, 2021, Cut-off date for restation mid-night Saturday n 4th September 2021 while the Swearing-in ceremony will take place on Tuesday 7th September, 2021.The closing ceremony will take place on Tuesday 27th September, 2021.
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