The Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is presiding over the ongoing Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting today, Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
The Federal Government has announced the resumption of in-person FEC meetings beginning today, thereby putting an end to the usual virtual/in-person (hybrid meetings) adopted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This will create more robust physical interactions, thereby strengthening government policies and programmes in the country, says an Aso Villa official.
Recall that more than two years after it instituted safety measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has approved the relaxation of safety measures and travel advisory following the recommendations of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman PSC on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, said the decision is based on Clinical and Laboratory evidence of a sustained reduction in COVID-19 infection/transmission across the country.
He said; “The relaxed measures include the following:
“Gathering limitations in Public Places: All restrictions with regard to gathering in public places have been lifted. Owners of facilities are strongly encouraged to maintain good environmental/respiratory hygiene, and ventilation.
“Use of Face Mask: The use of facemasks is at the individual’s discretion for outdoor and indoor events. However, the elderly, immuno-compromised and those with co-morbidities are advised to use facemasks, wash hands with clean water and soap, use hand sanitisers, and avoid large gatherings.
“COVID-19 Travel testing: All pre-departure and post-arrival PCR test requirements for all persons who are not fully vaccinated have been suspended. With the suspension of both the pre-boarding and post-arrival PCR tests, passengers will no longer be required to upload evidence of vaccination on the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP). All unvaccinated and partially vaccinated passengers are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated.”
The federal government then commenced virtual FEC meetings on March 18, 2020, at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, before the lockdown, to contain the spread of the dreaded COVID-19.