July 18, (THEWILL) – Following the confirmation of the Delta Variant of COVID-19 and the rising number of infections and hospitalisation in the country, the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC), has put six States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on red alert as part of the preventive measures against a third wave of the pandemic.
The States are: Lagos, Oyo,
Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the FCT.
The PSC, however, warns that all states of the Federation should heighten their preparedness and continue to enforce all protocols put in place, given the renowned greater ease of spread of the Delta variant.
In an official statement issued Sunday signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, PSC stated that these steps are critical as we begin to see worrisome early signs of increasing cases in Nigeria.
PSC added that the committee shall continue to minimize the risk of importation of Variants of Concern into the country by strengthening Surveillance at all Points of Entry (POE), enforcing extant quarantine
protocols and sustaining the current restrictive measures against travelers arriving from India, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.
The statement said: “The PSC felicitates with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. It however, urges all State Governments and Religious Leaders to be mindful of the potential for wider spread of the virus during large gatherings.
“The PSC, therefore, recommends the following preventive measures for a safe Eid-el-Kabir celebration: decentralisation of Eid Prayer to neighborhood Friday Prayer Mosques (outdoor); suspension of Durbar activities; and observation of limitations on all Indoor gatherings.”
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
