The Federal Government has ordered civil servants from grade level 12 and below to stay at home for five weeks.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, made this known in a circular in Abuja on Tuesday.

Esan said the directive followed the reported cases of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The circular read in part, “Following Mr President’s approval of recommendations of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, in the light of the second wave of the infection in Nigeria, officers on grade level 12 and below are hereby, directed to stay at home for a period of five weeks, effective from Wednesday, December 23 and await further directive.”

According to her, the decision has become necessary to streamline the number of officers who come to work daily.

She said the affected officers are expected to perform their duties from home, while officers on grade level 13 and above are to adhere to preventive measures while they at work and elsewhere.

”The measures include maintenance of physical distancing, regular washing and/or sanitising of hands and wearing of face masks and reducing the number of visitors.

“In line with the prescription of the PTF, virtual meetings are encouraged with the view to minimising physical contact.

“In addition, Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers are expected to sustain the provision and use of necessary amenities in compliance with the existing guidelines on prevention and the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

“Security operatives manning the gates of offices should be directed to demand for the identity card of staff coming to the office to ensure that they are on grade level 13 and above before granting them access to the premises,” she advised.