By Our Reporters
The federal government yesterday reinstated a 12am to 4am curfew as part of measures aimed at preventing the spread of deadly strains of COVID-19 in the country, even as it extended its work-from-home directive for civil servants on Grade Level 12 and below.
Members of the Presidential Steering Committee On COVID-19 domiciled in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation directed all civil servants to continue to work from home till June 11, 2021, after which the directive may be reviewed.
This development is coming on the heels of the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19 strains in India, South Africa, Turkey and Brazil.
The measures put in place by the government are to prevent a third wave of the virus, and they include restricted gatherings at worship centres and banned night clubs.
It would be recalled that the World Health Organisation Regional Virologist, Dr Nicksy Gumede-Moeletsi had said B.1.351 variant of the coronavirus, first found in South Africa, was spreading in 23 African countries.
As of Sunday, Africa had recorded 4,673,466 cases. South Africa with 1.59 million cases has the highest number of infections in the continent.
Nigeria has so far recorded 165,419 cases of the virus out of which 2,065 persons have died while 156,300 have been discharged.
India, whose cases have attracted global attention following shortage of oxygen and hospital spaces, has recorded 22,991,927 infections.
To prevent a similar occurrence in Nigeria, the National Incident Manager, Mukhtar Mohammed at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday said a nationwide curfew would be introduced from midnight of Monday. He said the curfew would run from 12 midnight till 4am daily.
He also said 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.”