COVID-19 third wave: FG puts six states, FCT on red alert

The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC) has placed six states and the federal capital territory (FCT) on red alert amid fears of a third wave of the pandemic.

In a statement signed by Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation and chairman of the committee on Saturday, the PSC said the decision was taken “following the confirmation of the Delta Variant of COVID-19 and the rising number of infections and hospitalization in the country”.

“The states are: Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the FCT,” the statement reads.

“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.

“The PSC shall continue to minimize 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 travelers arriving from India, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.”

The PSC felicitated with Muslims on Eid-el-Kabir and asked all state governments and religious leaders to be mindful of the potential for wider spread of the virus in 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 committee said.

“Nigerians and all Residents are reminded to stay safe, always.”