January 03, (THEWILL) – The Presidency says visitors to the presidential villa in Abuja will be required to take rapid COVID tests to gain entrance into the Villa.
Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, who made this known to newsmen, said the development is not unusual, saying it is a growing global practice in government offices in all countries.
Shehu said every visitor including state governors are required to take the COVID-19 rapid test before entry into the presidential villa.
He explained that the test kits which are issued for free at the gate 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 seeing the president, is 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.
THEWILL recalls that Shehu had last week tested positive for COVID-19 and subsequently went into isolation. He later announced in a Facebook post that he has recovered from the virus.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mohammed Bello, had also in a statement personally on Friday announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
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