The Work-From-Home instruction by Federal Government to civil servants from GL 12 and below has been extended till the end of March. Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), made the announcement in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, NAN reports. “All public servants on GL12 and below have been directed to continue working from home till the end of March 2021. “This new directive is in adherence to the advice of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
“The coronavirus downward trend needs to be maintained, therefore, the need for the extension of the work-from-home directive,” the statement said.
Dr. Yemi-Esan further stressed the need for all public servants to sustain strict compliance with the existing protocols on the prevention and spread of the pandemic.
She urged all Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers to bring the content of the circular to all concerned and ensure strict compliance.
In a previous circular dated January 26, civil servants were directed to work from home till the end of February.
Dr. Yemi-Esan, in a new circular dated March 3, and addressed to the offices of the chief of staff of the president, clerk of the national assembly, permanent secretaries, among others, said the decision is to help sustain the downward trend of coronavirus infections.
“Further to the Circular No: HCSF/3065/Vol.I/68 dated January 2021, and following the advice of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, all officers on SCL 12 and below are to continue working from home till the end of March 2021,” the document reads.
“While it is acknowledged that there has been a reduction in the number of reported cases of COVID-19, it is important that this downward trend be maintained. It is to this end, that the work-from-home directive has to continue as specified above.
“It is also important to emphasize the need to ensure strict compliance with the existing guidelines on the prevention and 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 strict compliance.”
Nigeria has experienced a significant drop in the daily count of new infections over the past few weeks, with less than 1,000 cases recorded daily since February 16.