Valentine: Celebrate Safely, NCDC Warns

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has urged Nigerians to spread love and not virus in the celebration of valentine tomorrow (Sunday).

The agency urged Nigerians to protect themselves, family and loved ones, especially in ways that do not involve large gatherings.

In the same vein, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) charged young people, in particular, to avoid risky sexual behaviour while celebrating the day.

The agency expressed concern over the degree of unprotected sexual activities made out of impulsive decisions by younger adults, adding: “Many impulsive decisions are made in the heat of moment, such as unprotected sex, which often leads to unwanted pregnancies and increased risk of acquiring sexually-transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.”

NCDC Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said; “While we recognise that people want to celebrate Valentine’s Day, we caution that they must do so safely. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in several ways, especially our physical and social interactions.

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“We appreciate that the public health measures in place to contain the spread of the virus may be difficult, as it requires a change in people’s lifestyle. However, these are steps that must be taken to reduce the risk of spread of the disease.

“We urge Nigerians to think of every decision they make in celebrating as one that could contribute to life or death. Sadly, over 1,600 people in Nigeria have died from COVID-19 (as at Wednesday, February 10). Please, avoid large gatherings, especially if indoors, and take responsibility to protect yourself and those around you.

“NCDC continues to work with relevant government institutions and all states under the leadership of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19; we encourage Nigerians to continue to take the necessary measures to themselves and our country.

“As we plan towards the safe celebration of the Valentine season, we need the support of all Nigerians to limit spread of the virus. This means adhering strictly to public health measures, including avoiding large gatherings. Please, continue frequent hand hygiene through hand washing with soap and water or use of an alcohol-based sanitiser, wear a facemask properly, especially in public places and maintain physical distance of at least two metres.”

Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated every year on February 14. It originated as a minor Western Christian feast day honouring one or two early Christian martyrs, named Saint Valentine, and through later folk traditions, has become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many parts of the world.

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