Written by Olawale Ajimotokan
The FCT management approved new guidelines to control the spread of COVID-19 in the territory and effectively approved the closure of bars, nightclubs, pubs, events and recreational facilities over the next five weeks to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
An emergency meeting chaired by FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, to cover the spread of the second wave of the pandemic, ratified the guidelines on Wednesday.
FCT is considered one of the epicenters in this second wave. Also, all informal and formal festive events, including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, sports activities, year-end events, among other things, are limited to no more than 50 people.
He warned that executive teams are authorized to arrest violators and prosecute them through a mobile court system.
The emergency meeting attributed the increase in coronavirus infection to non-compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions by residents, especially public face covers, physical removal and hand hygiene.
All restaurants, except those that provide services to hotel residents; take away food, home delivery and ride must remain closed.
Public transport systems should carry passengers no more than 50 percent of their capacity in accordance with the rules of social distancing, while facilities for religious events are limited to less than 50 percent of the capacity during which physical removal, mandatory use of face masks and hand hygiene should be strictly enforced. .
Also, all FCTA employees and the six FCT regional councils at GL 12 and below should work from home for the next five weeks, while the heads of the various secretariats, departments and agencies will be responsible for compliance. All FCT schools should remain on vacation until at least January 18, 2021.
He also called on Abuja Market Management Limited and various market associations to ensure compliance with all guidelines on face covers, hand hygiene and physical removal.
He said he would not hesitate to close any market or business premises that are contrary to these guidelines.