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Sallah public celebrations, worship services under threat
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50 persons’ ceiling per gathering
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Traditional Sallah homage to Villa cancelled
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Night clubs, gyms shut till June 11, 2021
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No face mask, no entry in govt offices
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Intra-state travels not affected
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ECOWAS fixes tests at $50
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The sudden reintroduction of nationwide restrictions by the Federal Government as part of measures to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic impact in the country may have triggered the panic mode among most religious bodies and businesses.
Hours after the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 went public with its unexpected announcements, there were heightened activities among most stakeholders in the sectors largely affected by the reintroduced health protocols.
Insiders hinted that major religious organisations and event centres that clearly are most hit by the government’s decision were still reviewing latest developments with hurriedly arranged meetings and contacts to chart the way forward in the circumstance.
Forefront contacts within the two major religious umbrellas in the country, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), hinted that plans were already on ground for emergency meetings to address fall-outs from the government’s latest moves.
Our usual competent sources said given that this year’s Sallah holiday is at hand on Wednesday and Thursday, May 12 and 13, 2021, NSCIA now has its hands full readjusting programmes and engaging Muslim faithfuls on their planned public programmes and celebrations.
The sources confirmed that with just about 24 hours away, many adjustments are being considered and made by various Islamic organisations to fit into government’s new directives on COVID-19 protocols order.
On their part, religious leaders on the platform of CAN are also said to be considering available options for their midweek and Sunday services in line with the health protocols, especially amid government’s threat that offenders will be tried instantly by mobile courts.
Already, the Presidency has cancelled the usual traditional Sallah homage to the Aso Villa by religious, community and political leaders after the prayer.
Consequently, the President has directed that all celebrations including the forthcoming Eid-Al-Fitr should be limited due to the global Coronavirus crisis.
As Muslims in Nigeria join others globally in preparations for Eid Al-Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu said; “The President, First Family, his personal aides, members of cabinet and Service Chiefs who choose to remain in Abuja will congregate in full compliance with COVID-19 protocols at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa to observe the Eid prayers at 9 a.m”.
”As was the case last year, the president encourages such leaders to be content with modest celebrations at home in view of the pandemic,” Garba said
On Monday, May 10, 2021, the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic had forced the Federal Government to re-introduce a nationwide 12 am to 4 am curfew to curtail the deadly virus further spread across the country
Besides the curfew, which took effect from midnight on Monday, night clubs, gyms, recreation centres and other public centres are to remain closed until further notice.
Similarly affected by the reintroduced extant protocols are gatherings of religious groups, weddings, and birthdays among others that have been reduced to 50 per cent attendance with official engagements, meetings and conferences restricted to hold virtually for now
As part of measures to mitigate the virus’ impact, the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 said public gatherings, especially in enclosed spaces are now limited to a maximum of 50 persons with state governments urged to inaugurate mobile courts that will try offenders.
The PSC Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha said the committee has also considered several pre-emptive measures that would mitigate the likely impact of the variants of concern, should they get imported into Nigeria.
Addressing a media briefing in Abuja, Mustapha said; “Accordingly, the PSC has produced a new Implementation Guidelines being Phase IV of our Eased restrictions of COVID-19 Lock-down in the Country.
“This step has become compelling in view of the fragile state of our health systems, the disruption to the vaccines delivery and the lack of compliance with the extant public health measures and social measures contained in the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Protection Regulations 2021.”
The SGF explained that in re-instituting the various public health measures under the Health Protection Regulations, the PSC is requesting all “State Governments to please step up to play lead roles in the area of enforcement and sanctions.
“Similarly, our appeal goes to traditional, religious and community leaders to take up more ownership and responsibility for risk communication and community engagement on the virulent nature of the pandemic, concerns over the variants of concern and the need for compliance.”
Mustapha also disclosed that added that the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government has fixed the cost of COVID-19 testing, whether PCR or otherwise, at $50 (Fifty US Dollars) at all Points of Entry with effect from 17th May 2021.
He said the decision is meant to ease travel and trade among citizens of ECOWAS States travelling within the region.
In his intervention, PSC’s Head of Technical Secretariat and National Incident Manager, Dr Mukhtar Mohammed warned that persons without face-masks will no longer be allowed into government institutions and security agencies are mandated to enforce the use of such masks and other non-pharmaceutical interventions in the transportation sector.
Most government meetings will also be held virtually with only essential international travels encouraged while all protocols must be strictly adhered to.
Mohammed, who was however emphatic that there are no restrictions on intra-state travels, said; “The PSC continues to reinforce the surveillance system at the country’s points of entry. While our vaccine roll out has begun, there is a shortage in global supplies affected by the current situation in India.
“This translates to a delay in vaccinating a large proportion of the population and therefore a risk of a large outbreak especially in the context of poor adherence to the recommended public health and social measures.”
He also lamented that; “The level of adherence to the use of face-mask, physical distancing, temperature checks in public spaces, hand-washing and limits on large gatherings remain very poor. In some areas, these are even nonexistent.
“In line with the increasing risk of a surge in cases, the PSC is therefore maintaining the enforcement of the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations. This is to mitigate the risk of a spike in new cases while the nationwide vaccine roll out continues.”
“Further to these recommendations and effective from 0001hours of Tuesday, 11th May 2021, this Phase 4 of the phased restriction of movement shall come into effect. We shall maintain restrictions in mass gatherings outside work settings with a maximum number of 50 people in an enclosed space.
“Approved gatherings must be held with physical distancing measures and other non-pharmaceutical interventions in place. Enforcement of a mandatory requirement of a seven-day quarantine for all international passengers arriving from foreign destinations while institutional quarantine for international passengers arriving from the three countries of India, Brazil and Turkey.
“Enforced temperature checks and no mask, no entry policy in all public settings; workplace buildings, businesses and places of worship etc. Access to Government and commercial premises should be denied to persons without face-masks”, Mohammed emphasized.
In addition, he said; “The nationwide curfew will be imposed tonight at midnight and it will run through till 4 am. No formal restrictions on movement within the country even as citizens are encouraged to refrain from non-essential movements and comply with all non-pharmaceutical interventions and guidelines. People who are above 60 and or with comorbidities are encouraged to stay at home. Only essential international travels are encouraged.”
The National Incident Manager explained that while hotels will remain open, they have all been directed to strictly adhere to all non-pharmaceutical interventions while schools are to deploy the use of antigen-based rapid tests as recommended by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)’s guidelines.
