By Williams Anuku, Abuja
In view of the resurgence of COVID- 19 and the spike in the rate of infections, the Federal Government has approved what can be described as partial lockdown across the country.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid 19, Boss Mustapha gave this indication on Monday at the regular briefing session in Abuja.
All these comes even as Christians prepare to celebrate Christmas across the country.
Among the advisories issued to sub-national entities for implementation over the next five weeks because these activities are considered super spreader events includes immediate closure of all bars, night clubs, pubs and event centres, and recreational venues.
It also involves closure of all restaurants except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins shall remain closed.
There will also be a restriction on all informal and formal festivity events including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, end of year events shall be restricted to not more than 50 persons.
According to the PTF, all gatherings linked to religious events shall henceforth be limited to less than 50% capacity of the facility of use during which physical distancing; mandatory use of face masks shall be strictly enforced.
He noted that where more than 50 persons are attending, any such events, the gathering should be held outdoors only; while public transportation systems are to carry passengers not more than 50% of their capacity in compliance with social distancing rules.
Henceforth the government is bent on enforcing compliance with NPI protocols especially the advisory on wearing of face masks in public spaces, this may soon be backed by law in the coming days.
To reduce overcrowding in public spaces, markets, shopping centres, offices and schools States are to encourage virtual meetings in government offices.
Boss explained that the leadership of such offices are to ensure that all offices are well-ventilated offices, and encourage staff to work from home where possible.
Henceforth, all government staff on GL.12 and below are to stay at home for the next 5 weeks; while Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives are to be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains with frequent spot checks.
He said PTF on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Education, expects that schools would have vacated from the 18th December 2020 and remain closed till at least the 18th of January, 2021 to enable the measures introduced to take effect.
He said all persons above the age of 60yrs and/or with comorbidities are to be encouraged to stay at home and avoid crowds.
Also, all non-essential travels – both domestic and international during the holiday season are seriously discouraged.
He said to strengthen risk communication and community engagement activities over the next 5 weeks, States are encouraged to; engage the community and religious leaders, arrange town hall meetings (ideally set outdoors) to address concerns; while
intensifying public messaging activities, leveraging on existing government and partner assets.
He said they should reach out to youths and younger adults with health promotion activities, and invest in local face mask purchase and distribution to the general public to encourage use.
“Where applicable, the PTF shall also implement these authorisations. For example, it shall work with the Nigeria Immigration Service to impose sanctions on all in-bound travellers who violated the travel protocols and endangered the lives of their loved ones and other citizens by refusing to take the post-arrival test.
“The PTF will similarly work with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to implement aspects related to the Public Service.
“A lot of discussions is still going on around the calls for the restriction of international travels due to the discovery of new strains of the virus in certain countries. The PTF, Aviation and health authorities including the WHO, are assessing the situation closely and would take a position as soon as a cogent scientific basis is established.
“The protection of Nigerians remains our primary concern and we reassure Nigerians of our resolve not to relent. Tomorrow, Tuesday 22nd December 2020 at 3 pm, the PTF shall be submitting its end of the year (2020) Report to Mr President and Nigerians shall be kept abreast of developments in this regard, “the PTF Chairman stated.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari, has authorised the PTF to engage with the States and the FCT to assume full ownership of this stage of the response by deploying legal structures and resources, including enforcement to manage the pandemic within their jurisdictions.
Explaining further, FG said over the past four briefings, the PTF has been raising the alert flag on the rising number of infections in the country and the possibility of a second wave arriving at our shores.
He said recent Epidemiology records confirm to the PTF that Nigeria is now facing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide which is similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries across the world.
He noted that states like Lagos, Kaduna and the FCT emerged as the new epicentres during this period, with over 70% of all confirmed cases.
He said two major indicators highlight the current increase in cases and transmission across Nigeria.
“Notwithstanding the fact that our testing numbers are fast approaching the peak recorded in July 2020, the number of cases being reported is disproportionately higher. For example, in the FCT, despite recording an increase of 85% in tests conducted over the last week, the number of confirmed cases increased by 285% during the same time period.
“These trends point to a higher Test Positivity Rate (TPR- the number of positive cases detected as a proportion of all tests). The TPR was below 5% through September and October and we recorded a low point of 3% nationally in late October 2020. However, recent trends in cases have seen this number increase to 10% in the second week of December.
“These high numbers are further reflected in the increase of admissions to COVID-19 treatment centres and fatalities, particularly in the three epicentre states.
“The result of the analysis carried out by the PTF further indicate that the current pattern of spread and the surge is likely to be driven by the following factors:
the lack of compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions – particularly the disregard for mask use in public, large gatherings as a result of events linked to the yuletide season and recent civil demonstrations.
“Disregard for other public health preventive measures, such as hand hygiene and physical distance requirements; the activities and assumptions of our youthful population which has resulted in an increase in the infection rate among young people, who are subsequently infecting older and more vulnerable family members, “he stated.