COVID-19 Omicron Variant issue: PSC says it is monitoring situation

The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 said it is currently monitoring circumstances around the world about the newly mutated COVID-19 version known as Omicron.

“As the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) just stated today, the emergence of the highly-mutated Omicron variant underlines just how perilous and precarious our situation is,” Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) and Chairman of the PSC, said in Abuja on Monday.

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“Rather than being penalized, South Africa and Botswana should be applauded for identifying, sequencing, and reporting this mutation.

Nigerians and residents are recommended to get completely vaccinated, get checked periodically, and continue to follow non-pharmaceutical intervention measures such as physical separation, good face mask use, proper ventilation, and hand cleanliness.

“However, the PSC is reviewing the global scenario and putting in place measures to mitigate the variant’s impact on the country.”

Mustapha went on to say that the PSC was aware of some travelers who were circumventing travel protocols by providing fake COVID-19 test results, permit to travel certificates, or declaring fake vaccination status at entry points.

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“The weight of the law is heavy, and it will come down severely on these people,” he added.

“The vaccination mandate will fully take effect on December 1, 2021, and I encourage every Federal Government worker, and in essence, all Nigerians and citizens to be vaccinated,” the PSC chairman said of the December 1 deadline for government officials to get vaccinated.

“The NPHCDA is increasing vaccination across the country to ensure that citizens have access to vaccines no matter where they are.” We need folks to go get their vaccinations now that the immunizations are available.

“People will not be able to travel without their confirmed immunization cards due to global changes.”

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“The PSC will wish to advise you that the deadlock on the Nigeria – UAE flights has been addressed in the interest of both sides,” he said of the suspension of the ban on Emirates Airlines.

“We thank everyone involved in bringing this deal to fruition, despite the fact that it took so long to complete with all of its ramifications.” In due course, a date for the start of flights between the two countries will be announced.