COVID-19 resurgence: Business Premises, Markets, Worship Places not keeping to protocols may be shutdown in Abuja – PTF

Following the resurgence of COVID-19 pandemic in Abuja and other parts of the country, business premises, markets, worship places and other public gatherings not adhering to social distance and wearing of facemasks may be shutdown to curtail a possible widespread.

Sani Aliyu, the National Coordinator of PTF gave the recommendation on Monday during an emergency FCT Covid-19 Stakeholders Review Meeting held in Abuja.

The meeting was necessitated by the increase number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the territory.

The National Coordinator further recommended the reactivation of Covid-19 Protocols Enforcement Task Team to stop its violation in the territory.

He noted that PTF only recommended that restaurants be allowed to operate outdoors, but lamented that all restaurants had opened indoors.

“This has to be enforced. They can provide takeaways, otherwise they should close for the Christmas period because it is an area that attracts people for mass gathering.

“Our aim is to stop a possible spread over the next six weeks.

“My recommendation is that all the sites that are currently serving as attractive points for mass gathering should be closed for the next six weeks to takeout the Christmas rise in case.

“There should be inspection team going round Abuja to monitor and ensure compliance.

Read also: NCDC advisory to public sector leaders, business owners on resurgence of COVID-19

“Any business premises or markets found accepting people without wearing facemasks and are allowing people to mix anyhow those premise should be closed.

“The same applies to shopping centres, the same applies to motor parks and other commercial premises,” Aliyu said.

Earlier, the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello stressed that the objective of the meeting was to review the Covid-19 protocols, particularly in the light of the second wave of pandemic, which heat the FCT two weeks ago.

Bello decried the non adherence to all Covid-19 precautionary measures and protocols in the FCT and assured that there would be massive enforcement.

According to him, “Because that is the only way we can ensure that lives are saved and protected. We all have to appreciate that Covid-19 is here, it has come back with vengeance.

“It is killing people and that reality is something that we all leaders both religious, traditional and government officials have to go back to our various communities and send this message.

“We know that there is fatigue; everybody is tired of COVID-19 but the reality is that it is here. We all need to have our internal motivation and strength to be able to really take a very good leap to make sure that we jointly fight the second wave of the pandemic.”

Philip Aduda, the Senator representing FCT, commended the minister for convening the stakeholders meeting to know that the second wave of pandemic was serious.

The lawmaker, therefore, urged FCT residents to adhere strictly to all Covid-19 precautionary guidelines such as wearing of facemasks, observing social distance and regular washing of hands.