The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a partial lifting of the
ban on interstate movement and schools for graduating students
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made the announcement on
Monday during a press briefing.
Mustapha said the government had extended the Phase Two of the eased
lockdown by four weeks.
He said within this extended phase, there will also be a safe re-opening
of schools to allow graduating students back to classes, while
interstate movements would only take place outside curfew hours.
He said, “I am pleased to inform you that Mr President has carefully
considered the 5th Interim Report of the PTF and has accordingly
approved that with the exception of some modifications to be expatiated
upon later, the Phase Two of the eased lockdown be extended by another
four weeks with effect from Tuesday, June 30, 2020, through midnight of
Monday, 27 July 2020.
“Specifically, however, the following measures shall either remain in
place or come into effect: maintaining the current phase of the national
response for another four weeks in line with modifications to be
expatriated by the National Coordinator; permission of movement across
state borders only outside curfew hours with effect from 1st July 2020;
enforcement of laws around non-pharmaceutical interventions by states in
particular the use of face masks in public places; safe reopening of
schools to allow students in graduating classes resume in-person in
preparation for examinations and; safe reopening of domestic aviation
services as soon as practicable.
“Within the month under review, the PTF continued to monitor
developments and consistently admonished Nigerians to change their
behaviour in view of the fact that the spread of the virus had entered
the community phase. It is the considered opinion of the PTF that
Nigerians, though aware of the existence of the virus, have generally
misunderstood the objectives behind the reasoning of government in
gradually relaxing the restrictions.
“As we are all aware, the PTF in conjunction with sub-national entities,
the organised private sector, put in places a number of measures. The
PTF also escalated its activities around risk communication to Nigerians
but we have observed with growing concern the non-compliances with these
measures designed to prevent transmission and protect vulnerable
segments of the population. We hold the strong view that if such actions
do not abate, experiences of resurgence of the virus from other
jurisdictions including China, the United States of America, Brazil and
across Europe may emerge in Nigeria and we run the risk of erasing the
gains made in the last three months.”