Health
By Benprince Ezeh
THE Presidential Steering Committee, PSC, has said that from December 1, 2021, all civil servants should present proof of vaccination or negative Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR, tests conducted within 72 hours before they will be allowed access to offices.
Boss Mustapha, chairman, PSC on COVID-19 disclosed this during the presidential press briefing on COVID-19 on Wednesday in Abuja.
Mustapha, who is also the secretary to the government of the federation, SGF, said that the move was to encourage vaccination rates across the country.
He said: “With effect from December 1, federal government employees shall be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours.
“With this, they should gain access to their offices in all locations within Nigeria and the Missions, an appropriate service-wide advisory/circular would be issued to guide the process,” he said.
According to him, Nigerians should be vigilant during the coming festive period.
“The PSC wishes to put Nigerians on notice that two major religious festivities ‘Salah and Christmas’ are approaching and we shall be experiencing increased passenger traffic in and out of the country.
“Similarly, events of large gatherings are likely to hold. While the PSC prepares to escalate surveillance and other control activities, we urge states and all Nigerians to also increase their vigilance and take measures to moderate activities.
“Statistics generated over the last four weeks on testing have shown that the trend of infection is going down in some states, while in others, the trajectory is upward.
“The combined total for testing by PCR and RDT now stands at about 3, 141, 795 persons.
“The Aviation authorities in collaboration with the diplomatic sector have made reasonable progress in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; discussions are still ongoing with the UAE Authorities to resolve the impasse,” Mustapha said.
Mustapha, however, said the decision to remove South Africa, Turkey, and Brazil from the restriction list had been made.
Realnews reports that the PSC had placed a restriction on Turkey, Brazil, and South Africa due to the upsurge in the number of COVID-19 cases.
The PSC chairman added that over several months, four countries were placed on high-level restrictions for travellers from such countries.
“The PSC has after a review of the developments in these countries, decided to remove South Africa, Turkey, and Brazil from the restricted list.
“The minister of aviation today, presented the position of African countries on Vaccine Passport which some economic blocks and countries wish to impose for travel purposes.
’’This is because African countries have found it difficult to access the vaccines for their citizens in sufficient number.
“The United Kingdom has eased restrictions on fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria to the UK with effect from Oct. 11.
“Nigeria welcomes this development and assures that the PSC shall continue to review Nigeria’s protocols based on global developments, science, and national experience.
“A revised protocol will be issued in the next 24 hours,” he said.
First published – Oct. 14, 2021 @ 17:38 GMT | C.E
Tags: Boss Mustapha Covid-19
