The Federal Government through the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Covid-19 has placed 6 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja on red alert to ensure a safe and healthy nationwide Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The move is also part of the precautionary measures taken against the fast-spreading third wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
The action from the government follows the confirmation of the Delta Variant of Covid-19, the rising number of infections and hospitalisation in the country.
This disclosure is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of PSC, Mr Boss Mustapha, on Saturday evening in Abuja, according to News Agency of Nigeria.
Mustapha, who also 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.
The PSC chairman warned that all states of the federation should increase their state of preparedness and continue to enforce all protocols put in place, given the renewed greater ease of spread of the Delta variant.
He said, “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.
Mustafa further advised Nigerians and all residents to always stay safe.
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