* Federal Government orders non-essential workers on Grade Level 12 and below to remain at home

* COVID-19 pandemic cases rise to 300, 000 globally 鈹�WHO

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

As the spread of the global pandemic afflicts several economies and dislocates socio-economic activities of peoples in recent times, the Federal Government of Nigeria has released further measures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Pandemic, announced the latest measures at a press conference, in Abuja, FCT, Monday, March 23.

绿帽献妻 gathered that such practical measures include full closure of Nigeria鈥檚 land borders for four weeks effective from Tuesday, March 24; suspension of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings until further notice; and postponement of the next meeting of the Council of State; and advisory to Lagosians and Abuja residents to stay at home as a social distancing strategy with regard to the two cities鈥� large populations, mobility, and number of cases already reported, and the need to control the spread of COVID-19.

The Federal Government, meanwhile, has ordered the non-essential Federal Civil Servants on Grade Level 12 and below to stay away from work till further notice, just as the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that cases of Coronavirus pandemic had increased to 300,000 worldwide.

Below is the text of the SGF鈥檚 statement to Nigerians at the press conference:

鈥溾�婭n furtherance of our ongoing engagement with the public and stakeholders through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) and the Honourable Minister of Health (HMoH), I have found it necessary to update you on recent developments regarding the management of matters arising from COVID-19 Pandemic.

鈥淟et me remind you that as of the time the Honourable Minister of Health (HMoH), briefed you earlier today, the numbers from the World Health Organisation (WHO), confirmed that the virus has covered 192 countries, reporting over 329,000 cases.

鈥淚n Africa, 42 out of 54 countries have reported cases while 48 deaths have been recorded.

鈥淚n Nigeria 36 cases have been reported and one fatality has occurred.聽聽The first responders, particularly the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), continues to attend to reports received through telephone calls and other medium.

鈥淲e commend Nigerians for stepping out to report and/or make enquires through the dedicated hotlines.聽聽Records show that on Sunday, 22nd March, 2020, over 4500 calls were received. This shows the high level of awareness among Nigerians.

鈥淭he strategy of government is to focus on testing, detection and containment through contact tracking in order to minimise hugely, the possibility of community spread.

鈥淲e urge anyone experiencing the symptoms of the virus, or has been in contact with anyone who has been suspected or tested positive to please report at the nearest medical facility or the designated center.

鈥淭he Presidential Task Force (PTF) continues to monitor the global and domestic developments and has isolated Lagos and Abuja for particular attention in view of their population, mobility and number of cases already reported.

鈥淎s you are all aware, a number of advisories have been issued and measures taken.聽聽Part of the measures being taken presently includes the following:

鈥渋. Escalating the nation鈥檚 capacity for testing and detection 鈥嬧�嬧�媡hrough the acquisition of more testing kits and鈥嬧�嬧�嬧�� establishment of additional test centres;

鈥渋i. Acquisition of personnel protection equipment (PPE) for 鈥嬧�嬧�媎ifferent categories of frontline personnel;

鈥嬧�渋ii. 鈥婨nhancing contact tracking;

鈥渋v. Deepening awareness creation;

鈥嬧�渧.鈥� Mobilisation of experts and trained personnel whether in 鈥嬧�嬧�媠ervice or retired;

鈥渧i. Introduction of social distancing policies and banning mass 鈥嬧�媑athering of over fifty (50) persons;

鈥嬧�渧ii. 鈥婥losure of schools and tertiary institutions;

鈥嬧�渧iii.鈥� The total ban on international travels shall commence at 12.00 鈥嬧�媘idnight tonight at all our airports; and

鈥嬧�渋x.鈥� Leaders of different faiths have been encouraged to restrict 鈥嬧�媠ervices and activities that involve mass gathering of more 鈥嬧�媡han 鈥媐ifty of their adherents. State governments are also 鈥嬧�嬧�媏nforcing this policy at different levels.

鈥淟adies and gentlemen, after a further review, Mr. President on the recommendation of Presidential Task Force (PTF) has approved the following additional measures:

鈥渋.鈥� Suspension of the weekly FEC meetings until further notice;

鈥渋i. Postponement of the meeting of the Council of State 鈥嬧�嬧�媠cheduled for Thursday, 26th March, 2020;

鈥嬧�渋ii. 鈥婣ll land borders that have been hitherto under partial closure 鈥嬧�媠hall now be closed for human traffic for four weeks effective, 鈥嬧��23rd March, 2020;

鈥渋v. In order to protect Federal Civil and Public Servants, a circular 鈥嬧�媡o be issued by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation 鈥嬧��(HCSF) shall direct on actions to be taken immediately;

鈥渧. If and when the need arises, any national assets required for 鈥嬧�媢se in the response to COVID-19 shall be mobilised and 鈥嬧�嬧�媎eployed;

鈥渧i. Federal Government is, at the highest level, engaging with 鈥嬧�婼tate Governors in order to ensure a collaborative and 鈥嬧�嬧�媏ffective response to COVID-19 Pandemic; and

鈥嬧�渧ii. 鈥婣ll Abuja and Lagos residents are strongly advised to stay at 鈥嬧�媓ome,聽聽avoid mass congregation of any kind as well as non-鈥嬧�媏ssential outings, until further advice is given.

鈥淔inally, the PTF assures all Nigerians of the concerns of Mr. President and his determination to mobilise all resources to backup this national response.

However, this commitment should be reciprocated by all citizens by respecting the advisory and obeying measures put in place to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) shall be updating Nigerians from time to time when the need arise.鈥�

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