COVID-19 Second Wave: FG Orders Closure Of Bars, Night Clubs, Pubs, Event Centres

President Muhammadu Buhari has authorised the return of most of
the initial restrictions imposed earlier in the year for the
prevention of the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Among the re-introduced restrictions and regulations are closure
of most public places and social events, including religious,
occupational and recreational activities.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss
Mustapha, disclosed these during the task force’s media briefing in
Abuja on Monday.

Mustapha explained that President Buhari had directed state
governments, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to
immediately assume responsibility for the enforcement of the
re-introduced restrictions and measures.

As part of the efforts to curtail further spread of the disease
and prevention of the new strain surfacing in other parts of the
world into Nigeria, the SGF said international travels, both into
and from the country, are being considered.

Giving specific actions that President Buhari had authorised in
the fight to keep the spread of the second wave down, he said the
restrictions, which would affect travelling, holding social events
like parties and religious events and many more, would past for
five weeks in the first instance.

“The PTF has surveyed developments and actions taken by
governments around the world, assessed our domestic environment and
has accordingly submitted its recommendations to Mr. President on
immediate measures to be taken.

“Accordingly, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria has authorised the PTF to engage with
the States and the FCT to assume full ownership of this stage of
the response by deploying legal structures and resources, including
enforcement to manage the pandemic within their jurisdictions:

“In line with the authorisation, the PTF wishes to issue the
following advisories to sub-national entities for implementation
over the next five weeks because these activities are considered
super spreader events:

“Close All bars, night clubs, pubs and event centres, and
recreational venues;

Close all restaurants except those providing services to hotel
residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins shall remain
closed; Restrict all 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;

“Limit 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. Enforce compliance with NPI protocols especially the
advisory on wearing of face masks in public spaces;

“To reduce overcrowding in public spaces, markets, shopping
centres, offices and schools States are advised to implement the
following: Encourage virtual meetings in government Offices. The
leadership of such offices are to ensure that all offices are
well-ventilated offices, and encourage staff to work from home
where possible;

“All government staff on GL.12 and below are to stay at home for
the next 5 weeks; Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives are to
be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains with
frequent spot checks;

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

“All persons above the age of 60yrs and/or with comorbidities
are 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;

“To strengthen risk communication and community engagement
activities over the next 5 weeks, States are encouraged to; Engage
community and religious leaders, arrange town hall meetings
(ideally set outdoors) to address concerns;

“Intensify public messaging activities, leveraging on existing
government and partner assets; Reach out to youths and younger
adults with health promotion activities; Invest in local face mask
purchase and distribution to the general public to encourage use,”
he said.

He said further that besides the enforcement instruction issued
to the states and the FCT by the President, the PTF would also, in
necessary circumstances, play roles to ensure the measures are
complied with.

“Where applicable, the PTF shall also implement these
authorisations. For example, it shall work with the Nigeria
Immigration Service to impose sanctions on all in-bound travellers
who violated the travel protocols and endangered the lives of their
loved ones and other citizens by refusing to take the post-arrival
test.

“The PTF will similarly work with the Head of the Civil Service
of the Federation to implement aspects related to the Public
Service,” he added.

Speaking specifically to the issue of international travels, he
said “a lot of discussion is still going on around the calls for
the restriction of international travels due to the discovery of
new strains of the virus in certain countries.

“The PTF, Aviation and health authorities including the WHO are
assessing the situation closely and would take a position as soon
as cogent scientific basis are established. The protection of
Nigerians remains our primary concern and we reassure Nigerians of
our resolve not to relent.

“Tomorrow, Tuesday 22nd December, 2020 at 3.00pm, the PTF shall
be submitting its end of year (2020) Report to Mr. President and
Nigerians shall be kept abreast of developments in this regard,” he
said.

Observing the recent developments around the COVID-19 phenomenon
in the country and the continued response efforts attending it,
Mustapha pointed out that, among other reasons, the refusal of
Nigerians to heed instructions issued by the PTF, especially the
non-pharmaceutical interventions had given vent to the rise and
spread of the second wave of the virus.

“The result of the analysis carried out by the PTF further
indicate that the current pattern of spread, and the surge is
likely to be driven by the following factors:

The lack of compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions –
particularly the disregard for mask use in public, large gatherings
as a result of events linked to the yuletide season and recent
civil demonstrations.
“Further disregard for other public health preventive measures,
such as hand hygiene and physical distance requirements; The
activities and assumptions of our youthful population which has
resulted in an increase in the infection rate among young people,
who are subsequently infecting older and more vulnerable family
members.

“From our assessment, the current situation are clearly the
consequences of certain occurrences and events of the last few
weeks. These include sudden increase in social gatherings involving
large congregations from different parts of the country, and the
world, at events such as weddings, religious activities, political
rallies, conferences and end of year celebrations;

“These events, classified globally as ‘supers-spreader events’,
make the risk of a single infection causing a large outbreak among
attendees significantly higher;

“Furthermore, as we reopened the economy, we experienced
increased economic, social and religious gatherings and activities
all of which have combined to play a part in viral transmissions.
These include:

a) The opening of the international airspace in September 2020 –
While the average number of daily imported infections into the
country in the last 90 days is estimated to be about 7 cases,
compared to 100-150 reported new infections in the community since
the beginning of community transmission, the test positivity rate
in travellers arriving Lagos has recently doubled to 6.3%;

“The resumption of schools – outbreaks have been reported in
schools following the resumption of physical classes; The
resumption of NYSC orientation camps – this risk has been mitigated
by ensuring that all NYSC members were screened for COVID-19 prior
to admission to camp, but confirmed cases have still been
identified through tests carried out;

“The full opening of offices with the return to work of
government workers from GL. 12 and below – outbreaks have also been
reported in public offices, most likely linked to overcrowding,
poor ventilation and the lack of compliance with non-pharmaceutical
interventions; and the opening of the economy with progressive
relaxation of restrictions in congregational areas such as places
of worship, restaurants, bars, lounges, shopping and event
centres,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari has authorised the return of most of
the initial restrictions imposed earlier in the year for the
prevention of the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Among the re-introduced restrictions and regulations are closure
of most public places and social events, including religious,
occupational and recreational activities.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss
Mustapha, disclosed these during the task force’s media briefing in
Abuja on Monday.

Mustapha explained that President Buhari had directed state
governments, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to
immediately assume responsibility for the enforcement of the
re-introduced restrictions and measures.

As part of the efforts to curtail further spread of the disease
and prevention of the new strain surfacing in other parts of the
world into Nigeria, the SGF said international travels, both into
and from the country, are being considered.

Giving specific actions that President Buhari had authorised in
the fight to keep the spread of the second wave down, he said the
restrictions, which would affect travelling, holding social events
like parties and religious events and many more, would past for
five weeks in the first instance.

“The PTF has surveyed developments and actions taken by
governments around the world, assessed our domestic environment and
has accordingly submitted its recommendations to Mr. President on
immediate measures to be taken.

“Accordingly, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria has authorised the PTF to engage with
the States and the FCT to assume full ownership of this stage of
the response by deploying legal structures and resources, including
enforcement to manage the pandemic within their jurisdictions:

“In line with the authorisation, the PTF wishes to issue the
following advisories to sub-national entities for implementation
over the next five weeks because these activities are considered
super spreader events:

“Close All bars, night clubs, pubs and event centres, and
recreational venues;

Close all restaurants except those providing services to hotel
residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins shall remain
closed; Restrict all 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;

“Limit 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. Enforce compliance with NPI protocols especially the
advisory on wearing of face masks in public spaces;

“To reduce overcrowding in public spaces, markets, shopping
centres, offices and schools States are advised to implement the
following: Encourage virtual meetings in government Offices. The
leadership of such offices are to ensure that all offices are
well-ventilated offices, and encourage staff to work from home
where possible;

“All government staff on GL.12 and below are to stay at home for
the next 5 weeks; Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives are to
be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains with
frequent spot checks;

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

“All persons above the age of 60yrs and/or with comorbidities
are 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;

“To strengthen risk communication and community engagement
activities over the next 5 weeks, States are encouraged to; Engage
community and religious leaders, arrange town hall meetings
(ideally set outdoors) to address concerns;

“Intensify public messaging activities, leveraging on existing
government and partner assets; Reach out to youths and younger
adults with health promotion activities; Invest in local face mask
purchase and distribution to the general public to encourage use,”
he said.

He said further that besides the enforcement instruction issued
to the states and the FCT by the President, the PTF would also, in
necessary circumstances, play roles to ensure the measures are
complied with.

“Where applicable, the PTF shall also implement these
authorisations. For example, it shall work with the Nigeria
Immigration Service to impose sanctions on all in-bound travellers
who violated the travel protocols and endangered the lives of their
loved ones and other citizens by refusing to take the post-arrival
test.

“The PTF will similarly work with the Head of the Civil Service
of the Federation to implement aspects related to the Public
Service,” he added.

Speaking specifically to the issue of international travels, he
said “a lot of discussion is still going on around the calls for
the restriction of international travels due to the discovery of
new strains of the virus in certain countries.

“The PTF, Aviation and health authorities including the WHO are
assessing the situation closely and would take a position as soon
as cogent scientific basis are established. The protection of
Nigerians remains our primary concern and we reassure Nigerians of
our resolve not to relent.

“Tomorrow, Tuesday 22nd December, 2020 at 3.00pm, the PTF shall
be submitting its end of year (2020) Report to Mr. President and
Nigerians shall be kept abreast of developments in this regard,” he
said.

Observing the recent developments around the COVID-19 phenomenon
in the country and the continued response efforts attending it,
Mustapha pointed out that, among other reasons, the refusal of
Nigerians to heed instructions issued by the PTF, especially the
non-pharmaceutical interventions had given vent to the rise and
spread of the second wave of the virus.

“The result of the analysis carried out by the PTF further
indicate that the current pattern of spread, and the surge is
likely to be driven by the following factors:

The lack of compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions –
particularly the disregard for mask use in public, large gatherings
as a result of events linked to the yuletide season and recent
civil demonstrations.
“Further disregard for other public health preventive measures,
such as hand hygiene and physical distance requirements; The
activities and assumptions of our youthful population which has
resulted in an increase in the infection rate among young people,
who are subsequently infecting older and more vulnerable family
members.

“From our assessment, the current situation are clearly the
consequences of certain occurrences and events of the last few
weeks. These include sudden increase in social gatherings involving
large congregations from different parts of the country, and the
world, at events such as weddings, religious activities, political
rallies, conferences and end of year celebrations;

“These events, classified globally as ‘supers-spreader events’,
make the risk of a single infection causing a large outbreak among
attendees significantly higher;

“Furthermore, as we reopened the economy, we experienced
increased economic, social and religious gatherings and activities
all of which have combined to play a part in viral transmissions.
These include:

a) The opening of the international airspace in September 2020 –
While the average number of daily imported infections into the
country in the last 90 days is estimated to be about 7 cases,
compared to 100-150 reported new infections in the community since
the beginning of community transmission, the test positivity rate
in travellers arriving Lagos has recently doubled to 6.3%;

“The resumption of schools – outbreaks have been reported in
schools following the resumption of physical classes; The
resumption of NYSC orientation camps – this risk has been mitigated
by ensuring that all NYSC members were screened for COVID-19 prior
to admission to camp, but confirmed cases have still been
identified through tests carried out;

“The full opening of offices with the return to work of
government workers from GL. 12 and below – outbreaks have also been
reported in public offices, most likely linked to overcrowding,
poor ventilation and the lack of compliance with non-pharmaceutical
interventions; and the opening of the economy with progressive
relaxation of restrictions in congregational areas such as places
of worship, restaurants, bars, lounges, shopping and event
centres,” he said.