COVID-19: Buhari Orders Shutdown Of Schools, Bars, Night Clubs, Others

All schools in Nigeria have been ordered to remain on their first term vacation till 18th of January 2021, following the spike in the spread of second wave of COVID-19 in the country.

Also to shut down are bars,night clubs and event centres and recreational venues while transporters  as well as religious centres should not exceed 50 per cent of their carrying capacity.

 

Edu-Biznews recalled that both Lagos and Kaduna State Governments, the two epicentres of the second wave of COVID-19 had already shutdown schools and allow only workers on grade levels 14 and above to report to offices in their respective states .

President Muhammadu Buhari  announced  the return of most of the initial restrictions imposed earlier in the year as part of the preventive measures to curtail the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha who made these known on behalf of the president at a news conference on Monday in Abuja, also directed workers on payroll of the Federal Government from grade level 12 and below to stay at home for five weeks.

Mustapha explained that the schools expected to have been on holiday since last 18th December, are to remain closed till  the 18th of January, 2021 to enable the measures inroduced to take effect

According to PTF, "All government staff on GL.12 and below are to stay at home for the next 5 weeks; Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives are to be held accountable for enforcing  rules in their domains with frequent spot checks;

Mustapha added  that President Buhari had also directed state governments, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to immediately assume responsibility for the enforcement of the re-introduced restrictions and measures.

PTF in the new restrictions insisted that   all restaurants except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins shall remain closed.

Also mandated compulsory usage of face masks and keeping of physical distancing and limiting social gatherings to 50 persons.

The new guidelines reads in parts "Restrict 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"

“Limit All gatherings linked to religious events to less than 50% capacity of the facility of use during which physical distancing; mandatory use of face masks shall be strictly enforced; Where more than 50 persons are attending, any such events, the gathering should be held outdoors only;

“Public transportation systems are to carry passengers not more than 50% of their capacity in compliance with social distancing rules. Enforce compliance with NPI protocols especially the advisory on wearing of face masks in public spaces;

“To reduce overcrowding in public spaces, markets, shopping centres, offices and schools States are advised to implement the following: Encourage virtual meetings in government Offices. The leadership of such offices are to ensure that all offices are well-ventilated offices, and encourage staff to work from home where possible