By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, December 13, 2021, locked out unvaccinated staff from its Abuja headquarters.
All staff were requested to present their COVID-19 vaccination cards as evidence and those who failed to do so were turned back.
365Daily had reported in December 2020, that the EFCC headquarters was badly hit by the virus, leading to a wave of infections among staff.
Briefing on the development, the Secretary of the anti-graft agency, Mr George Ekpungu, said it was aimed at checking the spread of the virus, especially with the discovery of Omicron variant in the country.
He further said the Chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, had pre-informed the staff of exercise.
“You will agree with me that the cases of COVID-19 are on the increase worldwide and we must be on the lookout in order to ensure that our staff is safe.
“We have been sensitising staff internally but felt the need to make it public to encourage others to copy from us.
“The Chairman and management have promised to decide on measures to be taken about those who have refused to be vaccinated.
“The COVID-19 protocols were not instituted by the EFCC. They are international and national protocols.
“For those who said they will not take the vaccine, they will continue to stay locked out until they make a decision. We also have a vaccine at our clinic here for those who are interested,” Ekpungu disclosed.
365Daily recalls that the Federal Government had mandated all Federal Civil Servants to get the COVID-19 vaccine or present evidence of negative PCR test for COVID-19, effective from Dec. 1, 2021.
Similarly, many State Governments have directed all State workers to get vaccinated against the virus or face penalties.