COVID-19: FCTA to bar unvaccinated staff members, visitors from offices

As part of efforts aimed at curtailing the spread of the COVID-19 in the FCT, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned that all unvaccinated staff would be barred from accessing FCTA premises with effect from Monday, 17th January, 2022.

This warning was contained in a circular signed by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, and issued on Monday 10th January, 2022.

The circular was addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), all Mandate Secretaries, Coordinators of AMMC, STDD as well as Heads of all Departments and FCTA Agencies.

Olusade said the circular was in line with the one issued earlier by the federal government allowing staff on grade level 12 and below to resume duty. The circular with reference N0. HCSF/3065/Vol.1/107 dated 26th November, 2021 also directed that all employees are required to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination or present a negative Covid -19 PCR test result done within 72 hours on a continuous basis as part of measures to curtail. the spread of the virus.

The circular reads in part: “All members of staff are therefore required to show evidence of Covid-19 vaccination or present a negative Covid -19 PCR test result done within 72 hours, failure of which such members of staff will not be allowed to the office premises commencing from Monday, 17th January, 2022.”

He added that in view of the fact that FCTA premises are public buildings, all visitors and clients coming to do business are required to comply with this directive.

The Permanent Secretary also said free vaccination points have been made available in all FCTA premises by the Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS) to provide opportunity for staff and visitors alike to get vaccinated.

He, however, warned that persistent non-compliance or refusal by staff to be vaccinated would be treated in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSR).

Olusade explained that in order to ensure strict compliance with this circular, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement in collaboration with the Director of Security Services have been mandated to mount surveillance in all entry points to prevent violators from gaining access to offices of the FCTA from Monday, next week.