By Zayamu Hassan
The Federal Government of Nigeria said it would bar workers from accessing their offices as from December 1, if they are unable to show proof of their vaccination against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee PSC on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha announced this at the briefing of the committee in Abuja.
According to him, with effect from December 1, 2021, 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, to gain access to their offices, in all locations within Nigeria and other missions abroad.
He added that an appropriate service wide advisory and circular will be issued to guide the process.
He said 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 million persons.”
Meanwhile, in an effort to halt the increase in COVID-19 infections, the Federal Government has charged states across the country to be on alert as the Christmas and Sallah celebrations are approaching.
He said the PSC put Nigerians on notice that two major religious festivities (Salah and Christmas) are approaching where the country experience 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 the states and all Nigerians to also increase their vigilance and take measure to moderate activities,” he said.
Mustapha added that the warning became necessary following the expected increase in the influx of travellers from different parts of the world to the country in the days ahead.
