FG Shuts Down Academic Activities Due To Covid-19 Fears

Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities have been directed, by The National Universities Commission (NUC), to suspend all academic activities involving large gatherings on their campuses.

This directive comes almost three days after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) announced the suspension of its nine-month-old strike.

In a circular issued by its Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), Chris Maiyaki, the NUC directed that classroom activities, hostel accommodation, conferences and seminars, should be suspended.

Read also: “I will not give ASUU the opportunity to go on strike” – Ngige

“Vice-Chancellors are to please note that the directive is part of the measures approved by Mr. President to mitigate the second wave of coronavirus infections in the country.

“The affected officers are expected to perform their duties from home while those on GL13 and above should strictly adhere to the extant preventive measures, including maintenance of physical distancing, regular washing of hands and/or sanitizing of hands, wearing of face masks and reducing the number of visitors to offices.,” Maiyaki stated.

The commission also mandated that universities should remain closed in the mean time, while awaiting further directives by Federal government on the reopening of schools.

Following the renewed spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, The Federal Government had mandated Officers on Grade Level 12 and below to remain at home for a period of five weeks.

The directive was effective, starting from Wednesday December, 23 2020.

Following news of a new strain of the novel coronavirus in Britain, governments across the globe have placed travel bans and other restrictions to check the spread

Last week Wednesday the British government confirmed that a second new and potentially more infectious variant of the coronavirus identified in South Africa has emerged in the United Kingdom.

On Friday (today), the Japanese Health Ministry confirmed its first cases of the new coronavirus variant spreading in Britain.

As at Friday (today), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) revealed the following Covid-19 statistics:

Confirmed Cases:  82, 747. Active cases: 11, 259. Discharged Cases 70,248; and Deaths: 1,240