COVID-19: FG directs some civil servants to work from home

The federal government has directed civil servants on grade level 12 and below to keep working from home till the end of February.

These category of civil servants have been working from home since December.

In a circular dated January 26, and addressed to the offices of the chief of staff to the president, clerk of the national assembly, permanent secretaries, among others, Folasade Yemi-Esan, head of civil service, noted that the decision became necessary as part of efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Yemi-Esan urged permanent secretaries and chief executive officers (CEOs) of government agencies to ensure that workers in their departments comply with the directive.

“Further to the Circular, No. HCSF/3065/Vol.1/47 dated 22nd December 2020, on the above subject; and following the advice of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, all officers on GL 12 and below are to continue working from home till end of February, 2021,” the head of service said.

“It is important to emphasise the need to ensure strict compliance with the existing guidelines on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

“Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers are enjoined to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned and ensure compliance.”

The development is coming hours after the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19 extended the third phase of the eased lockdown by one month.

“The PTF is improving on the international travel portal to minimise the challenges passengers keep encountering,” Boss Mustapha, PTF chairman, had said.

“Similarly, it is reviewing the guidelines on the implementation of phase three of the eased lockdown which is due to expire today.

“In view of the fact that our numbers are not abating, all extant measures prescribed in these guidelines are (subject to some modifications) extended by a period of one month with effect from Tuesday, January 26, 2020.”