The Federal Government has extended the gradual ease of lockdown for another two weeks as the first phase ends today, Monday.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, at the daily briefing in Abuja.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari on April 27 eased the initial lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states, and ordered a ban on all inter-state movements.
According to Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Nigeria is not ready for a complete opening of the economy as such action would be very dangerous.
He stated, “Any relaxation will only portend grave danger for our populace.
“Advisedly, the current phase of eased restriction will be maintained for another two weeks during which stricter enforcement and persuasion measures will be pursued.
“The two weeks extension of Phase One of the eased restriction is also to enable other segments of the economy to prepare adequately for compliance with the guidelines, preparatory to reopening in the coming weeks.”
He stated further, “Mr President has approved the following: (i) The measures, exemptions, advisories, and scope of entities allowed to reopen under phase one of the eased locked down, shall be maintained across the federation for another two weeks effective from 12 00 midnight today (18th May, 2020 to 1st June, 2020);
“(ii) intensifying efforts to ‘tell (communicate), trace (identify) and treat (manage)’ cases;
“(iii) elevating the level of community ownership of non-pharmaceutical interventions;
“(iv) Maintain the existing lockdown order in Kano for an additional two weeks;
“(v) Imposition of precision lockdown in states, or in metropolitan/high-burden LGAs, that are reporting a rapidly increasing number of cases, when the need arises. This would be complemented with the provision of palliatives and continued re-evaluation of the impact of the interventions; and
“(vi) Aggressive scale-up of efforts to ensure that communities are informed, engaged and participating in the response with enhanced public awareness in high-risk states.”