Worried by the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government has reintroduced all extant control measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the deadly scourge.
The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 on Monday reimposed the nationwide curfew earlier put in place to control the spread of the virus.
The PSC has also placed restrictions on gatherings especially in enclosed spaces to a maximum of 50 persons.
Addressing pressmen in a media briefing in Abuja, Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF and Chairman of the PSC, Mr Boss Mustapha said the committee has also considered several pre-emptive measures to be taken to mitigate the likely impact of the variants of concern, should they get imported into Nigeria.
He added that the Committee has formulated a new Implementation Guidelines being Phase IV of our Eased restrictions of COVID-19 Lockdown in the Country.
“This step has become compelling in view of the fragile state of our health systems, the disruption to the vaccines delivery and the lack of compliance with the extant public health measures and social measures contained in the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Protection Regulations 2021.
“The PSC has therefore considered it imperative to re-institute the various public health measures that were put in place under the Health Protection Regulations.
“In taking this step, the PSC requests the State Governments to please step up to play lead roles in the area of enforcement and sanctions. Similarly, our appeal goes to traditional, religious and community leaders to take up more ownership and responsibility for risk communication and community engagement on the virulent nature of the pandemic, concerns over the variants of concern and the need for compliance”, the SGF stated.
He added that the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government has fixed the cost of COVID-19 testing, whether PCR or otherwise, at $50 (Fifty US Dollars) at all Points of Entry with effect from 17th May 2021.
The decision, he said, is to ease travel and trade among citizens of ECOWAS States.
