COVID-19: FG introduces new restrictions, civil servants to work from home

Following the second wave of the COVID-19 infection in the country, the federal government has directed all government staff on GL12 and below to stay at home for the next five weeks. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said this on Monday at the joint national briefing of the Presidential […]

Following the second wave of the COVID-19 infection in the country, the federal government has directed all government staff on GL12 and below to stay at home for the next five weeks.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said this on Monday at the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

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He said permanent secretaries and chief executives are to be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains.

Mustapha, who just returned from self-isolation (he did not test positive) when some members of his household tested positive, said his four children contracted the virus.

He said the PTF, on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Education, expects that schools would have vacated from December 18, 2020, and to remain closed till at earliest January 18, 2021, to enable the measures introduced to take effect.

He also said of the 163,818 inbound international travellers captured on the Nigeria International Travel Portal for the control of possible importation of the virus, 20,216 (31 per cent), have not shown up for the post-arrival test.

The SGF said the PTF has concluded arrangements with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to impose sanctions on the defaulters for breaching the public health protocols, within the ambit of the law.

He said recent epidemiological records have confirmed to the PTF that Nigeria is now facing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide which is similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries across the world.

He added that Lagos, Kaduna and the FCT emerged as the new epicentres during the period, with over 70 per cent of all confirmed cases.

He added: “The PTF has surveyed developments and actions taken by governments around the world, assessed our domestic environment and has accordingly submitted its recommendations to Mr President on immediate measures to be taken.

“Accordingly, President Muhammadu Buhari has authorised 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.”

 

Guidelines for states

The SGF also said in line with President Buhari’s authorisation, PTF has urged states, to in the next five weeks, close all bars, nightclubs, pubs and event centres, and recreational venues.

“The states should also close all restaurants except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins shall remain closed.

“Restrict 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.

He also urged state governments to sustain the enforcement of the NPI protocols, especially the advisory on wearing a facemask in public spaces and also reduce overcrowding in public spaces, markets, shopping centres, offices and schools.

The SGF also urged states to encourage virtual meetings in government offices and that the leadership of such offices are to ensure that all offices are well-ventilated, and encourage staff to work from home wherever possible.

He said, “All persons above the age of 60 years 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 five weeks, states are encouraged to engage the 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.”

 

On international flight restrictions

The SGF said lots of discussions were still going on around the calls for the restriction of international travels due to the discovery of new strains of the virus in certain countries.

According to him, the PTF, aviation and health authorities including the WHO, are assessing the situation closely and would take a position as soon as cogent scientific basis is established.

 

Senators, ministers meet over N400bn vaccines

Senators, on Monday, expressed reservation over the preparedness of the federal government to manage the COVID-19 vaccination in the country.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan and his colleagues spoke, yesterday, at a meeting with the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, and Finance Minister, Mrs Zainab Ahmed.

The ministers were in the Senate to brief the leadership of the Red Chamber on the federal government’s plans to procure COVID-19 vaccines worth about N400 billion.

Lawan said it was a good bargain to spend N400 billion to protect Nigerians from the deadly virus but expressed reservations over the availability of facilities and manpower to manage the vaccine.

But the health minister insisted that the government was substantially ready for a successful COVID-19 vaccination exercise for its citizens.

He maintained that the country, which has successfully fought polio, would use the same storage facilities (cold chains) to store the COVID-19 vaccines.

The minister said about N400bn would be required to vaccinate 70 per cent of Nigerians at $8 per person.

He said N156bn would be needed in 2021 and N200bn in 2022