COVID-19: Stay At Home From Wednesday, Yemi-Esan Directs Federal Workers

Federal Government workers on Grade Level (GL) 12 and below have been directed to stay at home for a period of five weeks.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCS), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, issued the directive in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

She asked the workers not to come to work from Wednesday, following the approval of recommendations of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In light of the second wave of infections in the country, Yemi-Esan stressed that it has become necessary to streamline the number of workers who go to work daily.

She, however, stated that the workers who have been directed to stay away from the office were expected to perform their duties from home.

“Meanwhile, in reporting to their offices for duty, officers on GL 13 and above are to adhere to other preventive measures, including the maintenance of physical distancing, regular washing and/or sanitising of hands, wearing of face masks, and reducing the number of visitors.

“Furthermore, in line with the prescription of the PTF, virtual meetings are to be encouraged in offices with a view to minimising physical contact,” the nation’s Head of the Civil Service said.

She also advised permanent secretaries and chief executive officers to sustain the provision and use of necessary amenities in compliance with the existing guidelines on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

According to Yemi-Esan, security operatives manning the gates to offices should be directed to demand the identity cards of staff coming to the office to ensure that they are on GL 13 and above before granting them access to the premises.

She asked permanent secretaries and chief executive officers in various government ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure workers in their domains comply with the directives.