Nigeria Relaxes Nationwide Curfews And Crowd Control At Events 

Normal work for all employees should continue in all workplaces, although solutions to decrease congestion, such as working from home or having on-and-off days, should be encouraged.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

In light of the lowering number of cases, the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 assessed the country’s response to the epidemic.

The committee noted in a statement dated April 2, 2022 that the decision was based on the reduced danger of new variations being imported, as well as the availability of vaccinations and the growing number of individuals immunised in Nigeria and throughout the world.

The proposals for social restrictions were changed, according to the government, in accordance with three designated subject areas: movement, industry and labour, and community activities.

According to the report, the safety standards provide a foundation on which state governments may build to reinforce their responses based on their unique circumstances.

“States should continue to consider them as the minimum guidelines required to ensure an acceptable level of epidemic control nationwide,” the statement said.

According to the PSC, the national curfew enforced from 12 midnight to 4am has been removed, and there are no longer statutory restrictions on travel inside the country.

Given the dangers, the recommendation restricting Nigerians to only essential travel has been withdrawn, albeit people should avoid from non-essential mobility and follow non-pharmaceutical intervention instructions like as wearing a facemask or facial covering in public.

“Use of face mask to be mandatory for indoor activities but at individual’s discretion during outdoor activities; those aged 60 and above or with co-morbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are advised to uphold the use of universal precaution which includes the use of face mask, avoid crowd, and frequent use of hand sanitisers,” the statement said.

“No limitations on inter or intra-state travel; all vendors and service providers must abide by stated stipulations from the Federal Ministry of Transportation; all passengers and commuters must wear face masks once on board, as well as continue to observe personal precautionary measures.”

The government advocated against massive gatherings in the domain of industry and labour, recommending virtual meetings by offices for the private sector. Operators were instructed to decongest offices and ensure that they were well-ventilated.

Normal work for all employees should continue in all workplaces, although solutions to decrease congestion, such as working from home or having on-and-off days, should be encouraged.

The PSC also advised that face masks be required in closed offices, as well as a safety policy for everyone and the employment of suitable measures on a discretionary basis.

It requested operators to promote the use of authorised COVID-19 Ag-RDTs, as indicated in the Guidance for the Use of Approved COVID-19 Ag-RDTs in Nigeria.