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Breaking: Covid-19: FG Releases Fresh Directives Ahead Of Sallah Celebrations

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PRESIDENTIAL STEERING COMMITTEE ON COVID-19

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION

17th July, 2021

PRESS RELEASE

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENTIAL STEERING COMMITTEEE ON COVID-19

The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC) held a crucial meeting yesterday, Friday 16th July 2021, and reviewed the state of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

2. ​The PSC received situation reports from the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and on the global situation from the World Health Organisation (WHO). We remain aware of the risk of a surge in cases in Nigeria, given the global spread of the Delta variant, the faster rate of the spread of this variant, the poor adherence to COVID-19 public health and social measures in the country.

3.​After careful deliberations of the situation reports and existing risks, the following key decisionswere taken as part of measure to effectively respond to the threat of a surge in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria:

i. The country is presently facing the risk of a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases. In the last seven days, there has been an increase in the number of new cases and hospital admissions in some states in Nigeria;
ii. Based on the increasing number of cases, high levels of international travel, detection of variants of concern and other considerations, seven states/sub-national entities will be placed on high alert. These are Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the FCT. Consequently, the PSC shall engage with the state authorities to implement intensified containment and mitigation measures to effectively prevent the rapid transmission of cases;
iii. The PSC will work with the Governors of all 36 States and the Minister of the FCT to scale up COVID-19 pandemic preparedness measures. This includes the enforcement of basic COVID-19 prevention protocols across the whole country;
iv. The PSC through the MDAs will intensify surveillance at the various Points of Entry (POE) into the country and effectively implement the quarantine protocols to minimise importation of variants of concern into the country; and
v. Travel restrictions from the four countries categorised as high-risk into Nigeria still remain. These countries are India, Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa. The situation in these and other countries will continue to be reviewed and guidance will be issued accordingly. All other international travelers are expected to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 international travel protocol for Nigeria.

4.​The PSC felicitates with all Muslims in Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir celebrations. However, the PSC is concerned that the upcoming festive period could lead to an escalation of COVID-19 cases in the country. Consequently, the PSC will be working with the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria to issue COVID-19 safety protocols to guide the conduct and celebration of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.

5.​Given the risk of a surge in COVID-19 cases, we urge all Nigerians to continue to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures including handwashing, proper use of face masks in public settings, physical distancing, avoiding large crowds, and when possible, avail themselves to the opportunity of vaccination.  

–Signed–

Boss Mustapha

Secretary to the Government of the Federation/

Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19

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