Politics
Lockdown: FCTA Urges Non-Essential Workers To Stay Home
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed all workers who reside outside the Abuja to remain in their respective States of residence until the ban on interstate travel was lifted.
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, made the announcement in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, on Saturday in Abuja.
Bello said that the FCTA would enforce rigorously the guidelines regulating the easing of the lockdown in the FCT as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the territory.
He said that security agencies had been mandated to arrest and prosecute, through the mobile courts, anyone found contravening the guidelines.
Bello also said the FCTA would enforce the overnight curfew from 8p.m. to 6a.m. in order to prevent possible patients of COVID-19 from coming into the territory.
The minister said effective Monday, all civil servants in the FCT on Grade level 14 and above are to report for work three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of 8a.m. and 2p.m.
He, however, said that all officers on essential duties are to carry on with their assigned responsibilities.
He enjoined all workers to maintain safe distancing protocols of at least two meters and wear face masks at all times.
Bello said that temperature checks and hand sanitising protocols would be strictly adhered to at all entry points and access to offices tightly controlled.
He explained that markets are to operate for two days in a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 8a.m. and 3p.m.
Bello assured that neighbourhood selling points would be established in various parts of the city to decongest the major markets.
” Wearing of face mask is mandatory to gain access to markets in addition to hand washing and sanitizing protocols.
” The above hygiene related protocols are also applicable to supermarkets and neighborhood markets.
” Banks are to open between the hours of 8a.m. and 2p.m. and are to observe temperature checks, hand sanitising protocols as well as the use of face masks for staff and customers.
” Banks are to limit access by customers to allow for safe distancing reasons and limit the number of staff working on their premises to between 30 per cent and 50 per cent.
” Residents are encouraged to patronise online banking services as much as possible.
” Extant rules regulating restaurants and eateries remain in effect. Restaurants are not open to the public and are encouraged to adopt home delivery services.
” The extant directive on places of worship still subsists and they remain closed,” Bello said.
The Minister reiterated that prohibition of commercial motorcycles within the city centre remain in force including Kubwa and Dutse Alhaji.
Bello noted that tricycles are to limit their activities to areas already designated and are allowed a maximum of three persons -driver and two passengers.
” Similarly, taxis are mandated to carry a maximum of four persons at a time -driver and 3 persons).”
He also said that all schools in the FCT remain closed until further notice, adding that schools are not permitted to commence third term operations in any form until directed otherwise by the relevant authorities.
He, however, said that schools are encouraged to continue with e-learning and virtual teachings.
” Residents are once more reminded that COVID-19 can be fatal and all are hereby advised to take all prescribed measures to avoid contracting it.
”Persons with underlying medical conditions especially hypertension, diabetes, asthma and low immunity are advised to remain at home.
” Equally, Persons 65 years and older are also advised to remain at home,” he said.
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