Every visitor to Aso Rock must take COVID-19 test – Presidency

The latest information from The presidency says; visitors to the presidential villa in Abuja would be required to take rapid COVID tests before they are given access.

While noting that the new development is not unusual. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu explained that; it is a growing practice in government offices in other countries. He further stated that every visitor, including state governors, are required to take the COVID-19 rapid test. Before they can gain entry into the presidential villa.

According to the Presidential Aide. The test kits are issued for free at the villa gates. He also said it is a temporary measure against the backdrop of the recent spike in the number of cases of the COVID-19 virus in the country.

“Yes, a new regime of COVID-19 regulation has been put in place for all visitors to the Villa, not for Governors alone.

“Every visitor to the Villa, not just those visiting the president are now required to do a rapid test at the gate.

“The kits are freely issued, so no one is required to make payment. This is purely temporary in view of the recent spike in cases and will be removed any moment the situation abates. It’s a growing practice in government offices in many countries.

“Although some exceptions have been made for a few leaders in government coming from outside the Villa. They too are encouraged to do those tests.

“This policy has rightfully been justified following the discovery of COVID-19 positivity in some of those tested since the last few days of the practice,” Shehu said.

Shehu was among the Presidential aides that tested positive to COVID-19 last week. He recovered a week after going into isolation.

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Also, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mohammed Bello in a personally signed statement on Friday announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Nigeria has reported a steady rise in COVID infections. This has been confirmed as the fourth wave of the pandemic by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Director-General of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa in December said Nigeria has recorded a 500% increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. According to him, there have been an increase of the Delta and Omicron variants over the past two weeks.