The Federal Government has announced that with effect from 1st December 2021, all Federal workers shall be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result done within 72 hours, to gain access to their offices, in all locations within Nigeria and foreign Missions.
Secretary to the Goverment of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, disclosed this on Wednesday during the National briefing of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19.
Mustapha who is the Chairman of the Committee said a revised COVID-19 protocol would be issued in the next 24 hours.
He noted that the United Kingdom has eased restrictions on fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria to the UK with effect from 11th October.
He said: “Nigeria welcomes this development and assures that the PSC shall continue to review Nigeria’s protocols based on global developments, science and national experience”.
SGF said: “Today’s briefing, coming after an emergency meeting, will update Nigerians on some key developments.
“The briefing today will therefore be focusing on updates from the NCDC, Countries on the restriction list, our relationship with the UAE on Emirates and the vaccines mandate.
“Statistics generated over the last four weeks on testing have shown that the trend of infection is going down in some states while in others, the trajectory is upward. The combined total for testing by PCR and RDT now stands at about 3.141, 795 million persons.
“The Aviation authorities in collaboration with the diplomatic sector have made reasonable progress in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Discussions are still ongoing with the UAE Authorities to resolve the impasse.
“The Hon Minister of Aviation today, presented the position of African countries on Vaccine Passport which some economic blocks and countries wish to impose, for travel purposes.
“This is because African countries have found it difficult to access the vaccines for their citizens in sufficient number.
“Over several months, four countries were placed on high-level restriction for travellers from such countries. The PSC has after a review of the developments in these countries, decided to remove South Africa, Turkey, and Brazil from the restricted list.
“As you are aware, the UK has eased restrictions on fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria to the UK with effect from 11th October.
“Nigeria welcomes this development and assures that the PSC shall continue to review Nigeria’s protocols based on global developments, science and national experience.
“A revised protocol will be issued in the next 24 hours.
“With effect from 1st December 2021, Federal Government employees shall be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours, to gain access to their offices, in all locations within Nigeria and our Missions.
“An appropriate service-wide advisory/circular will be issued to guide the process.
“The PSC wishes to put Nigerians on notice that two major religious festivities (Salah and Christmas) are approaching and we shall be experiencing increased passenger traffic in and out of the country.
“Similarly, events of large gatherings are likely to hold. While the PSC prepares to escalate surveillance and other control activities, we urge the States and all Nigerians to also increase their vigilance and take measures to moderate activities,” he said.
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