Nigerians, Take Note Of These New Emergency Measures

Any Nigerian who loves him or herself, should indeed take note of new emergency measures being rolled out by the federal government.

It has to do with nothing else than the way of survival for in the wake of what the authorities are describing as critical.

It is also coming on the heels of reported suspension of international passports of 100 passengers.

Such passengers, it is alleged, failed to take the second test of COVID-19 after arriving Nigeria.

Speaking on the New Emergency Measures at the Presidential Task Force (PTF),  national briefing on Tuesday, in Abuja, the chairman of the PTF on COVID-19 Mr Boss Mustapha who is also Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said the names of the passengers would be published on January 1, 2021 and the suspension would last for six months.

“With effect from January, 1, 2021 the passports of the first 100 passengers that failed to take their day seven post-arrival polymerase chain reaction, (PCR), test will be published in the national dailies.

“The passports, as a deterrence, will also be suspended till June 2021.”

“​Our National Response is passing through a challenging phase due to the seriousness of the second wave of infections in Nigeria. Week 52 has so far given us the highest number of infections, in a single week, to date.

Emergency Measures 2 –

” Our analysis shows that 16 out of every 100 tests carried out are positive. We are also seeing increasing transmission among younger people and this is not considered good and safe. We must therefore exercise utmost restraint by taking responsibility.

“Closely related to these protocols, is the fact that the strategy of testing to detect and treat remains central to the role states are expected to play. Data shows that despite the resources already made available to sub-national entities, testing is very low across States in varying degrees.

“This is not helping our National Response. Indeed, some States have not reported any infections in several weeks.

“Reports received also point to the fact that laboratories recently established in the States are not working optimally.

“You will recall that we moved from two laboratories to about ninety (Public & Private) located in all states of the Federation. Their inability to function optimally has resulted in unacceptable levels of delay in receiving results and pressure on the National Reference Labs.

Emergency Measures 3 –

“We wish to urge all States to reopen all laboratories and ensure that testing is expanded and turnaround time for results is substantially reduced. In the same vein, states should please keep their Isolation/Treatment Centres open because of the rising cases of infection nationwide.”

” With the increasing number of infections and hospitalisation, our objectives are to: ensure that infection, prevention and control (IPC) is properly instituted to minimize spread and exposure of health care workers to the virus; ensure that those who require hospitalization are well managed; those requiring medical attention for other ailments gain access to Treatment at medical facilities; and

“The situation in Abuja and its environs has been of concern to the PTF.

During our conversation with health authorities (including the CMDs of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Abuja: – National Hospital; Jabi & Gwagwalada) this afternoon, the PTF directed that the level of Infections, Prevention and Control as well as case management should be prioritised immediately.”

Emergency Measures 4 –

“You will recall that we recently issued some protocols to states to which a number of states have been actively implementing.

We thank these States and urge others to follow suit.

“We worked out additional quarantine protocols to be observed by travelers arriving from the UK and South Africa.  This is in keeping with our determination to minimize any possibility of importation of the virus.

“The new policy started from Monday, 28th December, 2020. Key changes include: Requirement for passengers for two additional documents: permit to travel/QR code obtained from the travel portal after payment for the day seven post-arrival test; and COVID 19 PCR negative test with a validity now shortened to 96 hours or four days.

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“The PTF shall remain vigilant on this matter and our relevant agencies are also working on the sequencing to determine the strain found. The DG NCDC will elaborate on this subject,” he said on the new emergency measures.