Tough times await Eid-el-Kabir celebrants in six states of the federation and the federal Capital Territory, as the the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Covid-19 has placed them on red alert to ensure a safe and healthy nationwide celebration.
The action is being taking in order to prevent a repeat of what happened earlier in the year when there was a rise in the number of those that had the disease in the country. To ensure this does not happen again, preventive measures are being put in place against the fast-spreading third wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
The confirmation of the Delta Variant of Covid-19, the rising number of infections and hospitalisation in the country, necessitate this prompt action from the government
The government positions was contained in statement from the office of the Chairman of PSC, Mr Boss Mustapha, on Saturday in Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said. The PSC Chairman who doubles as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), listed the affected states apart from FCT to include Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano and Plateau.
According to the PSC boss, these steps are critical as we begin to see worrisome early signs of increasing cases in Nigeria.
“The PSC shall continue to minimise 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 travellers arriving from India, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.
“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 a wider spread of the virus during large gatherings.’’
Going further, the SGF said that the PSC recommends the following preventive measures for a safe Eid-el-Kabir celebration:
Decentralisation of Eid Prayer to neighbourhood Friday Prayer Mosques (outdoor);
Suspension of Durbar activities; and Observation of limitations on all Indoor gatherings.
He advised Nigerians and all residents to stay safe always.