Nigerian Federal Government has directed all its staff on Grade Level 12 and below to stay at home for the next five weeks as part of efforts to curtail the spread of the second wave of coronavirus. It announced that schools, which are now on holiday, will remain shut till at least the 18th of January, 2021 to enable the measures introduced to take effect
This is even as Kaduna State Government took similar measures, directing all workers below Grade Level 14 to work from home as from today, December 21.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, , Boss Mustapha, who spoke to newsmen today, December 21 in Abuja, also announce the closure all bars, night clubs, pubs and event centres, recreational venues, all restaurants except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins shall remain closed.
“All government staff on GL.12 and below are to stay at home for the next 5 weeks; Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives are to be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains with frequent spot checks.”
Boss Mustapha said that President Muhammadu Buhari has authorized the PTF to engage with the States and the FCT to “assume full ownership of this stage of the response by deploying legal structures and resources, including enforcement to manage the pandemic within their jurisdictions.
“In line with the authorization, the PTF wishes to issue the following advisories to sub-national entities for implementation over the next five weeks because these activities are considered super spreader events.”
He said that some of the measures including restriction of all informal and formal festivity events including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, end of year events shall be restricted to not more than 50 persons;
“Limit all gatherings linked to religious events to less than 50% capacity of the facility of use during which physical distancing; mandatory use of face masks shall be strictly enforced
“Where more than 50 persons are attending, any such events, the gathering should be held outdoors only;
“Public transportation systems are to carry passengers not more than 50% of their capacity in compliance with social distancing rules.
“Enforce compliance with NPI protocols especially the advisory on wearing of face masks in public spaces;
“To reduce overcrowding in public spaces, markets, shopping centres, offices and schools States are advised to implement the following:
“Encourage virtual meetings in government Offices. The leadership of such offices are to ensure that all offices are well-ventilated offices, and encourage staff to work from home where possible;
“All government staff on GL.12 and below are to stay at home for the next 5 weeks; Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives are to be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains with frequent spot checks;
“The PTF on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Education, expects that schools would have vacated from the 18th December 2020 and remain closed till at least the 18th of January, 2021 to enable the measures introduced to take effect;
“All persons above the age of 60yrs and/or with comorbidities are to be encouraged to stay at home and avoid crowds;
“All non-essential travels both domestic and international during the holiday season are seriously discouraged;
“To strengthen risk communication and community engagement activities over the next 5 weeks, States are encouraged to;
“Engage community and religious leaders, arrange town hall meetings (ideally set outdoors) to address concerns;
“Intensify public messaging activities, leveraging on existing government and partner assets;
“Reach out to youths and younger adults with health promotion activities;
“Invest in local face mask purchase and distribution to the general public to encourage use.
“Where applicable, the PTF shall also implement these authorisations. For example, it shall work with the Nigeria Immigration Service to impose sanctions on all in-bound travellers who violated the travel protocols and endangered the lives of their loved ones and other citizens by refusing to take the post-arrival test.”
Also, a statement by Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Governor Nasir El-Rufai said that the Governor has signed and authorised new regulations to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state with effect from today, December 21.
“It is mandatory to wear facemask outside the house. Organisations and individuals that allow people into their premises have the responsibility to enforce the no mask, no entry mandate, facemask should be worn to cover both the nose and mouth.
“Places of worship must enforce facemask use, provide sanitisers and ensure physical distancing. The number of worshippers will be capped. Congregational worship should not exceed one hour.
“Transport operators must reduce capacity to not more than two passengers per row and not more than 50 per cent of capacity.
“Supermarkets and providers of personal services such as hair dressing and barbing salons can remain open, but service providers and customers must use facemask and limit the number of persons they admit and serve at any time.”
