Presidency asks journalists at Abba Kyari’s burial to go on 14-day isolation

The Presidency, on Sunday, stepped up the health security protocol for State House Correspondents and staff of the Media Department asking those who attended the burial ceremonies for the late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, to self-isolate for 14 days.

It would be recalled the remains of the late Mallam Kyari were laid to rest at the Gudu Cemetery in Abuja on Saturday, an event that received wide media coverage.

However, the issue of non-compliance to hitherto issued social distancing directive by the Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) trailed the prayers and internet sessions for the deceased, leading to the refusal by State House security to grant access to top Presidential aides who had returned to the Villa after the ceremonies.

In a message on Sunday by Deputy Director of Information in the State House, Attah Esa, the Presidency advised those who attended the burial from the Media Department as well as Correspondents to stay away from and work from home for the next 14 days.

The message, however noted that the advice was for precautions, advising further to be sure to observe all recommended precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.

“As a precautionary measure, all State House Correspondents and Media Office Staff who covered/attended the funeral prayer/burial ceremony of the late Chief of Staff, at Defence House and Gudu Cemetery Abuja, respectively, are strongly advised to work from home for the next 14 days.

“Please be careful to observe the recommended measures to prevent the coronavirus transmission, including maintaining physical distancing and good personal hygiene going forward”, the message read.

The Nation reports the Presidency, on March 25 had taken steps to prune the access into the Presidential Villa by picking 13 media houses to access the Villa throughout the period that the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic would last, explaining that it was in a bid to respect the social distancing advice.