The Federal Government has asked workers of the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) based in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to go for voluntary Coronavirus (COVID-19) tests.
The FCT has 3,376 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 982 treated and discharged patients and 40 deaths.
The directive voluntary and mandatory tests for all who show symptoms of the virus, was contained in a circular signed by the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office in the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Dr Evelyn Ngige.
The circular titled “Conduct of COVID-19 testing for civil servants,” was signed on behalf of the HOSF, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, and dated July 17, 2020.
It was addressed to all Federal Permanent Secretaries.
It read: “I am directed to inform you that the Federal Government has provided facilities for the conduct of COVID-19 tests for civil servants at the ThisDay Dome, Mohammed Kur Avenue, by Nanet Suites, Central Business District, Abuja (from 10am to 4pm daily) as part of efforts to curtail the spread of the disease.
“Accordingly, you are required to notify all staff of the testing facility to enable members of staff who experience COVID-19 related symptoms and those wishing to get tested in your MDAs to take advantage of this opportunity.”
The circular also called the attention of civil servants to the updated guidelines on the control of the virus in offices which could be accessed on the website of the Office in the Office of the Head of Service or the Federation.
The updated guidelines had asked all the MDAs to create isolation centres in their offices for those who fall sick during working hours.
It also asked the MDAs to “discourage workers from sharing work tools, equipment, and items like computers, phones etc.”
It further recommended frequent cleaning and disinfection of work surfaces, asking that close attention should be paid to high-contact objects like door handles, handrails, elevator buttons, keyboards, tools, toilets, and sinks among others.
According to the document, those feeling sick or have sick family members (respiratory-related) should not come to work.
Such workers were advised to contact their supervisors with a view to obtaining necessary approvals in line with the Public Service Rule as well as contact the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
