The Federal Government has directed that civil servants on Grade Level 12 and below should continue to work from home until the coast is clearer.
Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, gave this order Tuesday at a briefing in Abuja.
According to him, there are some red flags to be further interrogated in the coronavirus issues in the country.
“There are certain interrogations we want to investigate further because there are few red signals that we must deal with before we can communicate to Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, as to when is the appropriate time for them to return. So, we are still drilling the issue within the next couple of weeks when we come to the conclusion of the safety of a full blown reopening of government offices.
“Before we take a decision as to when they will return to work, we will have clarity as to where we are in terms of control, vaccinations so that we do not blow the level of successes that we have achieved.”
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Esan confirmed the extension of the work-from-home order in a circular dated April 7, 2021, and titled, “Extension of Work-From-Home for GL 12 and Below.”
The circular reads: “It will be recalled that Circular HCSF/3065/Vol1/83 dated 3rd March 2021 directed all officers on Salary Grade Level 12 and below to continue working from home till the end of March 2021.
“The directive was in line with measures put in place by the Federal Government to sustain the downward Trent of reported cases of COVID-19 in the country.
“Further to that directive and following the advice of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, especially with regards to maintaining the reduction of reported cases, the earlier work-from-home directive is hereby extended till the end of April 2021.
“All officers are reminded to adhere to other preventive measures prescribed in previous relevant circulars which are in force.
“Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers are enjoined to bring the content of this circular to the attention of all concerned and ensure strict adherence.”
However, on why the government directed states to stop administering the AstraZeneca vaccines when to get to half of their supplies, the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnibe Mamora, the directive became necessary because the government was not sure if when the delivery of the next batch will come into the country.
He explained that the reserved doses would be given to those who had taken their first jabs to complete their doses.
