The Federal Government on Monday extended its work-from-home directive for civil servants on Grade Level 12 and below till June 11, 2021, after which the directive may be reviewed.
According to the Presidential Steering Committee On COVID-19 domiciled in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the directives was part of measures aimed at preventing the spread of deadly strains of COVID-19 in the country.
Amid concerns about deadly COVID-19 strains in India, South Africa, Turkey and Brazil, the government also reintroduced some measures which were put in place during the second COVID-19 wave in Nigeria which include restricted gatherings at worship centres and banned night clubs.
The National Incident Manager, Mukhtar Mohammed at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday said a nationwide curfew would be introduced from midnight of Monday.
He said the curfew would run from 12 midnight till 4am daily, adding that gatherings for worship or weddings should not be more than 50 per cent capacity.
For civil servants, he said, “All Government staff on GL. 12 and below are to continue to stay at home until 11th June, 2021;
“Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives to be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains with frequent spot checks; and
“Ensure that all NPIs are observed. Mandatory and proper use of face masks in all government premises.”
For non-government workers, the official said, “Encourage virtual meetings by offices. Avoid large meetings, decongest offices and ensure they are well-ventilated;
“Encourage staff to work from home where possible;
“Mobile courts to enforce on-the-spot fines and close premises that repeatedly violate rules;
“Mandatory use of face masks and other NPIs. no face mask, no entry;
“Personalised services to ensure face masks are worn when selling goods or providing services and ensure provision of sanitizers and appropriate PPEs to all workers; and
“Encourage the use of approved Ag-Rapid Diagnostic Tests as recommended in the guidance for the use of approved COVID-19 AG-RDTS in Nigeria (on NCDC website).”
Mohammed said security agents had been saddled with the responsibility of enforcing all the non-pharmaceutical measures put in place by the government.