BY MOYINOLUWA BAMIDELE-LUCAS
The Federal Government has ordered all civil servants on Grade Level 12 and below, who have been working from home as part of measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19 to resume duties on December 1, 2021.
The government had in March 2020, declared a national lockdown so as to curb the spread of COVID-19. Three months later, the government eased the lockdown, enabling markets, bars, night clubs, relaxation spots, religious gatherings, amongst others, to open for activities.
But despite the lifting of the restriction of movement in the country 20 months ago, the decline of COVID-19 infections and related deaths, along with the COVID-19 safety protocols being widely publicised to citizens for them to adhere to, as well as the COVID-19 vaccines being brought into the country at several intervals, federal government still asked its workers from Grade Level 13 and below to remain at home, while still being regularly paid their salaries.
The Head of Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi- Esan, gave the resumption directive in a circular HCSF/ 3065/ Vol. 1/ 107 dated November 26, 2021.
Yemi Esan in the circular, which was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, Ministers/ Ministers of State, Permanent Secretaries, National Security Adviser, Chairman Code of Conduct Bureau and Federal Civil Service Commission, among others, said the directive followed the advice of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 that this category of officers were expected to resume duties on December 1, 2021.
She noted that in line with the recommendation of PSC, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the vaccine mandate policy whereby all government employees were required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present negative COVID-19 PCR test results done within 72 hours.
She advised all public officers who are yet to be vaccinated to visit the following centres in Abuja: Federal Staff Clinic, Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase I, Federal Staff Clinic, Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase ll, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Clinic, Mabushi, Federal Ministry of Finance Staff Clinic and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Staff Clinic and other centres nationwide that can be found on the website of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
She enjoined all permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies to bring the contents of the circulars to the attention of their staff as well as ensure strict compliance.
In October, the Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said that, “With effect from December 1, 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.”
