As a measure to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Presidency has reduced the number of media houses covering the presidential villa to only 13.
The presidency said “over 100” correspondents gathering for work daily was not in line with the social distancing rule and overcrowding.
In a statement by the Director of Information, State House, Attah Esa, the decision was in adherence to the social distancing advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the directive of the federal government of not more than 50 persons at any gathering.
The presidency noted than the restriction takes effect from today, Wednesday and will be in place until further notice as the coronavirus pandemic lasts.
The statement added that the 13 media houses allowed to cover the Villa are Deutsche Welle, NTA, Channels TV, TVC, FRCN, VON, NAN, The Sun, ThisDay, Leadership, Daily Trust, The Guardian, and Vanguard.
According to the statement, the number of staff in other departments has also been reduced as a measure to curtail the spread of the disease in the villa.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the decision of the presidency to restrict media house to the villa came amid reports on Tuesday that Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, and three of his members of staff, tested positive for coronavirus.
