By James Jibril
The presidency has said that henceforth visitors to the presidential villa in Abuja will be rapidly tested for COVID before they would be allowed access.
Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, confirmed the development to state house correspondents in Abuja on Sunday.
According to the presidential spokesman, the new regulation became necessary due to the global spike in the rate of the COVID infections, especially the Omicron variant.
Rapid COVID tests are designed to confirm the COVID status of someone in few minutes and it is recommended for individuals with symptoms, high-risk populations, and healthcare or casual workers.
Shehu said every visitor, with the exception of some leaders, will be required to take the test free of charge at the entrance of the presidential villa.
He said, “Yes, a new regime of COVID-19 regulation has been put in place for all visitors to the Villa, not for Governors alone.
“Every visitor to the Villa, not just those seeing the president, is now required to do a rapid test at the gate.
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“The kits are freely issued so no one is required to make payment. This is purely temporary in view of the recent spike in cases, and will be removed any moment the situation abates. It’s a growing practice in government offices in many countries.
“Although some exceptions have been made for a few leaders in government coming from outside the Villa, they too are encouraged to do those tests.
“This policy has rightfully been justified following the discovery of COVID-19 positivity in some of those tested since the last few days of the practice.”
Some aides of President Muhammadu Buhari were said to have tested positive for the virus.
Shehu had announced last week that he tested positive for COVID and subsequently went into isolation.
Also, Nigeria has reported a steady increase in COVID infections in what has been confirmed as the fourth wave of the pandemic by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
According to the agency, a total of 242,877 confirmed cases, 214,778 recoveries and 3,033 fatalities have been recorded in the country so far.
