In an effort to curtail the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19, especially during the Eid-el-Kabir, Nigerian government has placed six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja on a red alert.
The affected states are Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and FCT Abuja.
A statement by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who also is the Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, says Nigeria has in recent time, witnessed “worrisome early signs of the third wave of the pandemic.”
Mr Mustapha advised the affected states against losing their guards, further stating, “the PSC, however, warns that all States of the Federation should heighten their state of preparedness and continue to enforce all protocols put in place, given the renowned greater ease of spread of the Delta variant. These steps are critical as we begin to see worrisome early signs of increasing cases in Nigeria,” it says.
Specifically referring to the coming Islamic festival of Eid-el-Kabir, which comes up on Tuesday, July 20, the statement recommends key actions be taken to avoid the spread of the infections.
“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 wider spread of the virus during large gatherings. The PSC, therefore, recommends the following preventive measures for a safe Eid-el-Kabir celebration: a) Decentralization of Eid Prayer to neighborhood Friday Prayer Mosques (outdoor); b) Suspension of Durbar activities; and c) Observation of limitations on all Indoor gatherings,” the statement says.
It says surveillance will continue at the borders particularly the airports, saying the existing quarantine protocols and restrictions shall be sustained.
“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,” it says.