The Presidential Task Force(PTF) on COVID-19 has extended the lockdown by another four weeks. The Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha made the announcement on Monday, June 29th, 2020 during his Press briefing.
“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, said Mustapha.
He maintained that the current measures of national response will be sustained for another four weeks in line with modifications to be expatiated by the National coordinator.
Mustapha in the statement also said schools may resume for students in graduating classes while domestic air travels may also resume, when practicable. He said the safe reopening of schools will enable students to prepare for their examinations.
“The National Coordinator will in due course announce and publish the details of the revised guidelines while relevant MDAs including Education, Transportation and Aviation will respectively consult further with stakeholders and issue guidelines for their sectors” Mustapha said.
The statement reads in parts;
“Within the Month under review, the PTF continued to monitor developments and consistently admonished Nigerians to change their behavior 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 the government in gradually relaxing the restrictions.
“ As we are all aware, the PTF in conjunction with sub-national entities, the organized 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.
“By way of a reminder, there is presently no known vaccine for the virus and that all over the world non-pharmaceutical measures still remain the most effective fighting opportunity we have for overcoming this pandemic.
“To further strengthen our National Response, the PTF in the intervening period vigorously built partnerships locally and internationally. Similarly, we fully have decentralised the National Response with State Governments and communities taking ownership and more responsibility. These efforts have greatly improved our ability to maximally detect, trace, isolate and treat nationwide successfully.
“The PTF has also continued to pursue the strategic thrust of “telling (communicate), tracing (identity) and treating (manage)” cases, with a stronger focus on precision interventions in high burdened LGAs within identified states of the Federation. This precision intervention will be signposted by aggressive scaling up of efforts to ensure effective community protection and sensitisation; and
Increased provision of support and guidance to states in their response to the outbreak.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the focus on the important roles to be played by the States is underscored by the following considerations:
“Notwithstanding the challenges faced in the last one month and the fact that Nigeria’s statistics have been on the rise, substantial progress has been made in the following areas:
Increased capacity to detect, test and trace those infected with the virus,
Increased collaboration with the legislature, State Governments and the organised private sector;
Activation of a new, cost-effective policy on the evacuation of returning Nigerians;
Increased awareness of COVID-19 among the population;
“Today, the PTF submitted its 5th Interim Report to Mr. President for his consideration. In the Report the PTF specifically reviewed the issues around the general level of compliance with prescribed measures, while taking note of the following:
“In doing the foregoing, the PTF considered the need for the continuation of the policy of striking the delicate balance between lives and livelihood as well as inputs received from different stakeholder groups.
“The PTF similarly identified the underlisted areas of concern that would require attention under the on-going restrictions:
“You will recall that the PTF had in previous briefing stated that the aim of Phase Two was to sustain the gains from earlier steps taken for pandemic control and to enable additional sectors of the economy restart activities.
ensure better compliance with the health-based response;
help to better achieve the balance between saving lives and ensuring that wellbeing and livelihood of citizens are protected.
Maintaining the current phase of the national response, for another four weeks in line with modifications to be expatiated 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 domestic aviation services as soon as practicable;
Publication of revised guidelines around the three thematic areas of general movement, industry and labour; and community activities;
Strengthening partnerships with States, Local Governments, traditional rulers, community/religious leaders and *civil society* to ensure increased public awareness and compliance with preventive guidelines;
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