Workers Outside FCT Should Not Resume On Monday – FCTA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed that all workers who are not resident in the FCT should remain in their respective states of residence until the ban on interstate travel is lifted.

FCTA also stated that wearing of face mask is compulsory.

FCTA’s Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, issued the statement on Saturday.

The statement further outlined the gradual phasing of the covid-19 presidential lockdown from 4th -17th May 2020, at the first instance.

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, said the administration would strictly enforce the 8pm to 6am curfew and warned that any violator caught by security agents would be taken to the mobile courts for prosecution.

He said that civil servants from Grade 14 should only work from 8am to 2pm(Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) complying with public health advisory on covid-19.

He also banned taxi operators from carrying more than 3 persons while adding that tricycles should convey just two persons.

According to the minister, markets would only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays (8am to 3pm), provided that they comply with public health guidelines.

The minister urged residents to be wary of the Coronavirus pandemic and prioritize their personal hygiene and comply with the directive.

Below are the details of the FCTA guidelines:

A. OVERNIGHT CURFEW
An overnight curfew will be applicable in the FCT from 8:00pm till 6:00 am.

B. PARTIAL RESUMPTION OF CIVIL SERVANTS
I. Effective Monday, 4th May 2020, all civil servants in the FCT on Grade level 14 and above are to report for work 3 times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of 8am and 2pm.

II. All officers on essential duties are to carry on with their assigned responsibilities.

III.All workers are to maintain safe distancing protocols of at least 2 meters and wear face masks at all times.

IV. Temperature checks and hand sanitizing protocols should be strictly adhered to at all entry points and access to offices tightly controlled.

V. Number of visitors and customers are to be limited to enforce social distancing guidelines.

VI.All workers who are not resident in the FCT are directed to remain in their respective States of residence until the ban on interstate travel is lifted

C. MARKETS AND BUSINESSES
i. Extant guidelines on market operations for sale of food items only remain in effect. Markets are to operate for two days in a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 8:00am and 3:00pm.

ii. Neighbourhood selling points will be established in various parts of the city to decongest the major markets.

iii. Wearing of face mask is mandatory to gain access to markets in addition to hand washing and sanitizing protocols.

iv. The above hygiene related protocols are also applicable to supermarkets and neighborhood markets.

v. Banks are to open between the hours of 8:00am and 2:00pm and are to observe temperature checks, hand sanitizing protocols as well as the use of face masks for staff and customers.

vi.Banks are to limit access by customers to allow for safe distancing reasons and limit the number of staff working on their premises to between 30% and 50%.

vii. Residents are encouraged to patronize online banking services as much as possible.

viii. Extant rules regulating restaurants and eateries remain in effect. Restaurants are not open to the public and are encouraged to adopt home delivery services.
Similarly, eatries are to practice the take-away system and are to maintain all hand sanitizing, face covering and safe distancing protocols.

ix.Pharmacies may remain open overnight and are to observe all other protocols as enunciated above.

x. Companies involved in food processing, drug manufacturing and construction can commence operation, subject to following the approved health and safety guidelines.

xi. Operators of these facilities are mandated to refuse access to anyone not observing the hygiene protocols.

D. PLACES OF WORSHIP
i. The extant directive on places of worship still subsists and they remain closed.

E. RECREATIONAL AREAS/FACILITIES/EVENTS
i. All clubs, bars, gardens, beer parlors, recreational parks, communal sports facilities, movie theatres etc in the FCT remain closed.

ii. Ban on social congregations such as parties, weddings etc remain in force

F. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
i. Prohibition of commercial motorcycles within the FCC remain in force including Kubwa and Dutse Alhaji.

ii. Tricycles are to limit their activities to areas already designated and are allowed a maximum of 3 persons (driver and two passengers).

iii. Taxis are mandated to carry a maximum of 4 persons at a time (driver and 3 persons).

iv. Buses are to reduce occupancy at any time to 50% of installed capacity.

v. All bus stops and motor parks are to maintain environmental hygiene and officials of the parks and bus and taxi operators should provide temperature checks and hand sanitizing points at the parks and bus stops. Face covering is also mandatory. They are to operate only between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm daily.

vi. The FCTA will enforce very strictly, the ban on interstate travel. Vehicles conveying goods such as agro products, petroleum products, medical supplies, relief and construction materials as well as courier and security services would be allowed entry subject to the permitted designation in the FCT.

G. SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS
I. All schools in the FCT remain closed until further notice. Schools are not permitted to commence third term operations in any form until directed otherwise by the relevant authorities.
II. Schools are however encouraged to continue with e-learning and virtual teachings.

H. MEDICAL ADVISORY
I. Residents are once more reminded that COVID-19 can be fatal and all are hereby advised to take all prescribed measures to avoid contracting it. Persons with underlying medical conditions especially hypertension, diabetes, asthma and low immunity are advised to remain at home. Equally, Persons 65 years and older are also advised to remain at home.
II. Use of face masks by residents in all public places is mandatory.
III. All business owners and government institutions are hereby directed to de-contaminate their premises, prior to re-opening.