COVID-19 second wave: FG shuts bars, night clubs, restaurants, restricts meetings

Federal Government on Monday closed all bars, night clubs, pubs and event centres, and recreational venues as part of new move to curtail the spread of the second wave of coronavirus (Covid-19).Federal Government on Monday closed all bars, night clubs, pubs and event centres, and recreational venues as part of new move

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 containment, Boss Mustapha, announced this at the regular national briefing in Abuja on Monday

To reduce overcrowding in public spaces, markets, shopping centres, offices and schools, the task force advised all government staff on GL.12 and below to stay at home for the next five weeks, while the permanent secretaries and chief executives are to be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains with frequent spot checks.

Mustapha advised government offices to encourage virtual meetings, while the leadership of such offices are to ensure that all offices are well-ventilated, and encourage staff to work from home where possible.

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The PTF on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Education expects that schools would have vacated from December 18, 2020, and remain closed till at least January 18, 2021, to enable the measures introduced to take effect.

The government also advised persons above the age of 60 years and/or with comorbidities to be encouraged to stay at home and avoid crowds.

“All non-essential travels – both domestic and international during the holiday season are seriously discouraged; All restaurants except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins shall remain closed,” the task force said.

The directives come on the heels of increasing dangers associated with the new coronavirus, even as government insists that 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.

Other measures put in place to curtail the spread include limiting 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.

This is as government also directed relevant agencies to enforce compliance with NPI protocols especially the advisory on wearing of face masks in public spaces;

Federal government had noted that recent Epidemiology records confirm to the PTF that Nigeria is now facing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide which is similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries across the world.