Canuk issues safety guidelines for guests attending its London end-of-year gala dinner

BRITISH diaspora umbrella organisation the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) has issued a set of health guidelines for its members to observe during the busy Christmas period in the wake of fresh coronavirus fears.

Over recent weeks, there have fresh fears about the resurgence of the virus after the emergence of the new Omicron strain. This has led to new restrictions being imposed in the UK, with travel from countries like Nigeria that appear of the health red list restricted and arrivals from such destinations compelled to go into quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.

Domestically too, the government has stepped up restrictions, like insisting everyone wear a facemask in shops and on public transport. Nigerians in the UK always celebrate Christmas elaborately with a host of endless parties every December and with Canuk kicking things off on December 17 with a gala dinner, the association has come up with a set of safety guidelines.

In a statement signed by Ayo Akinfe, Judy Akuta and Doyin Ola, the Canuk chairman, welfare secretary and social secretary respectively, attendees art this year’s gala dinner are advised to take lateral flow tests before coming. Test kits are available for free on the National Health Service (NHS) and results can be uploaded online.

Canuk is also advising everyone to wear a face mask, pointing out that it will supply more on the day, along with hand sanitizers. Members of Canuk’s welfare team will also be on hand to test the temperatures of everyone who attends the event.

Canuk’s 10-point Omicron safeguards for December 17

[1]  Canuk is asking everyone attending the December 17 dinner-and-dance to order the free NHS rapid test kits immediately

[2] Canuk will make arrangements for temperature testing on the day

[3] Everyone is advised to self-test no later than 24 hours before coming on the day

[4] Canuk’s welfare committee will be on standby on the day assisting everyone to abide by the guidelines

[5] Everyone is advised to bring a face mask on the day. Additional face masks will be provided by Canuk

[6] Canuk is advising everyone who wants to attend the event to get their booster vaccines before December 17

[7] Hand sanitizers will be provided by Canuk

[8] Everyone is advised to report their result online using www.gov.uk/report-Covid19-result

[9] Canuk is advising anyone who tests positive not to attend the event. Please get in touch with our welfare secretary immediately if you test positive

[10] Although Canuk is taking every precaution to protect public health, we condemn in its totality the unsavoury propaganda surrounding the Omicron strain simply because it is believed to have originated from Africa. There is no medical evidence to suggest that the Omicron strain is more dangerous than others that originated in Europe like the Alpha or Delta strains.

Kind regards

Ayo Akinfe                                             Judy Akuta                                       Doyin Ola

Chairman                                                Welfare secretary                             Social secretary