The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 said indoor religious gatherings should be limited to 50 per cent with full compliance to public health measures.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the PSC, Boss Mustapha.
The statement, which was made available to Newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, explained that there had been reduced compliance to public health social measures which had led to increased COVID-19 cases in the country.
The committee however added that it might be forced to introduce more restrictions should there be more increase in cases.
The statement partly reads, “The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 recognizes the importance of the Christmas and New Year celebrations for most Nigerians. As we prepare to celebrate with our families and loved ones, it is important that we do so safely by taking the necessary precautionary measures to stop the further spread of COVID-19 in our country.
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“The PSC wishes to remind Nigerians that we are now experiencing the fourth wave COVID-19 as new cases have continued to rise in the country. This is the result of a mix of very low vaccination coverage, increased travels and movements, reduced compliance to public health social measures and highly transmissible Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant now circulating in the country.
The statement further reads, “Indoor religious congregation should be limited to 50 per cent capacity with full compliance to public health social measures; and facemasks and hand sanitizers should be used at all times regardless of vaccination status while in public spaces;
“Families are advised to limit the number of visitors to their homes and put in place precautionary safety measures, Any gathering in excess of 50 people should be done in open spaces with physical distancing;
“Avoid non-essential interstate travel at this period as this increases the risk of spreading infection from one place to another. People who intend to travel are encouraged to take a rapid COVID-19 test to confirm status as many infected persons are asymptomatic.”
