FG extends phase-2 of eased lockdown by 4 weeks

*Lifts ban on interstate travel

*Set to re-open schools partially for Pry-6, JSS-3, SSS-3

*Curfew 10pm-4am continues, 
remain silent on worship centres

By Iyabode Ishola

Chairman, Presidential Task Force PTF on Coronavirus and Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Boss Mustapha, has announced that the Federal Government has extended the phase-two of eased lockdown by four weeks.

He disclosed this at a briefing in Abuja yesterday, June 29.

He said that ban on interstate movement has been lifted, as it had become another form of extortion for security personnel who collected money from Nigerians to grant them passage across state boundaries. He added that the interstate movements would only take place outside curfew hours. As the curfew hours from 10pm to 4am remains.

He stated that during the extended phase-two, there would be a partial reopening of schools for only graduating students in Pry 6, JSS3 and SS3 to allow them back to classes and sit for their terminal examinations.

Announcing the new measures, the SGF 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, July 27, 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 expatiated by the national coordinator; permission of movement across state borders only outside curfew hours with effect from July 1, 2020; enforcement of laws around non-pharmaceutical interventions by states, in particular, the use of face masks in public places; safe re-opening 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.

“Only pupils in Primary Six and students in Junior and Senior Secondary Three would be allowed back to classes to write their terminal examinations.’’

Mustapha condemns non-compliance of safety measures by Nigerians

Mustapha condemned the non-compliance with safety measures by Nigerians, noting that Nigerians could experience a resurgence of Coronavirus infections.

He said: “The PTF also escalated its activities around risk communication to Nigerians, but we have observed with growing concern the non-compliance 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.”

According to him, the spread has entered the community which only states and local governments could drive. The SGF said the inaction of a particular the state could endanger its neighbours and compromise the entirety of the response.

National Coordinator of the Task Force, Dr Sani Aliyu, said that the eased lockdown was not as a result of any tangible progress made in the past four weeks, but the decision was just to balance life and livelihood.

He said: “In the last 10 days, we recorded more than 500 cases on a daily basis. That is an indication that our figures are rising and for every detected case, there is a high possibility that five are not submitted for testing. On the day we recorded 500 cases, we might have missed 2,500 cases.

“The figure we have now might not be evidence of what is happening in the community, but we will continue to work with states to ensure we sustain some of the progress recorded.

“Of the total confirmed cases in Nigeria, 60 per cent are from 18 out of 774 local government areas nationwide. We have also increased our capacity to detect, which informed our setting up 38 molecular laboratories that translate to an increase in a testing capacity. 

"According to projection, our confirmed cases in the country may reach 45,000 in the next four weeks. While it was difficult to lockdown some areas without defined boundaries, the PTF would ensure that all other non-pharmaceutical measures were strictly adhered to in the 18 high burden local government areas.

According to him, only essential movements will be allowed.

He said: “On the restriction of movements in specific local governments, we are still working with the state governments because you cannot lockdown local governments without working with the states. Some of these local governments, by their geographical locations, do not have defined borders.

‘‘’So, for those areas where we have high burden, where the numbers are increasing rapidly, where we have high positivity rate, we will be introducing specific precision measures working with the state governments to make sure we get on top of this.”

He said state governments were consulted before the decision to lift the ban on interstate movement, adding that no one would be allowed to travel within curfew hours.

“We expect people to plan their travels to make sure that wherever you are, certainly the 10pm to 4am curfew remains,’’ he added.

Although the PTF did not list the local governments, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, had listed 20 local governments as of May 29, tagging them as high burden areas.

The local governments were spread across eight states and the Federal Capital Territory FCT. The states were Lagos, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, Borno, Edo, Ogun and the FCT.

As of May 29, about 11 of the councils were in Lagos State. They include Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Eti-Osa, Alimosho, Kosofe, Ikeja, Oshodi-Isolo, Apapa, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos Island and Surulere.

Others are Abuja Municipal, Tarauni (Kano), Nassarawa (Kano), Katsina, Maiduguri (Borno), Dutse (Jigawa), Oredo (Edo), Bauchi and Ado /Odo-Ota in Ogun State.