The Federal Government says all employees must ensure they get vaccinated by December 1, 2021.
The Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee, Boss Mustapha who announced this during the National joint Media briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital said there was no exception to the vaccine.
“With effect from 1st December 2021, Federal Government employees shall be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours, to gain access to their offices, in all locations within Nigeria and our Missions. An appropriate service-wide advisory/circular will be issued to guide the process,“ he emphasised.
Similarly, discussions are ongoing between the Aviation authorities in collaboration with the diplomatic sector and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the position of African countries on Vaccine passports.
The PSC Chairman said reasonable progress has been made, so far.
“The Honourable Minister of Aviation today, presented the position of African countries on Vaccine Passport which some economic blocks and countries wish to impose, for travel purposes. This is because African countries have found it difficult to access the vaccines for their citizens in sufficient number.”
Equally, the Presidential Steering Committee has removed South Africa, Turkey and Brazil from the list of countries restricted from visiting Nigeria due to the high cases of COVID-19 in those countries.
“Over several months, four countries were placed on high-level restriction for travellers from such countries. The PSC has after a review of the developments in these countries, decided to remove South Africa, Turkey, and Brazil from the restricted list.“
Furthermore, the PSC announced that the UK had eased restrictions on fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria to the UK with effect from 11th October.
“Nigeria welcomes this development and assures that the PSC shall continue to review Nigeria’s protocols based on global developments, science and national experience. A revised protocol will be issued in the next 24 hours.”
The PSC, therefore, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and adhere to all non-pharmaceutical interventions.
PIAK
This upcoming process is inevitable and welcome; its been in practice among nations of the developed world, for Nigeria, all I can say is “It’s About Time!”
One thing I would like FGN to consider is the immediate application of time-saving technology used in checking/inspecting the COVID-19 status (vaccination cards, PCR done in last 72 hours, etc.) of employees…since the required proof documents all carry a QR code on them, FGN regulations should include Internet-connected QR Code-scanning equipment that employees will present the QR code of their proof-of-health (vaccination cards, PCR test results, etc.) either as a hardcopy or softcopy to the scanner. This can and should be applied at all/any public (and even private) places of regulated mass gatherings.