*Extends curfew to midnight
*Advises phased reopening of schools
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 on Thursday says the country is not ready for full re-opening of the economy and normal life, despite the drop in infection rate.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, who is also the Chairman of PTF however acknowledged that the country has made progress in its response to the pandemic.
He therefore announced an adjustment to the curfew imposed by the Federal Government to 12 midnight through 4a.m.
Speaking at the briefing which took place at the International wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, he noted: “based on the foregoing, the PTF today submitted its 7th Interim Report to President Muhammadu Buhari for his consideration and approval.
“The main thrust of the recommendation is that Nigeria advances to the third phase of eased restrictions with further amendments, to address economic, socio-political, and health concerns.
“This will last till a time when the epidemic is sufficiently controlled in Nigeria,” he said.
He explained that President Buhari had considered and approved transition into the third phase of the National Response to the pandemic for a period of four weeks, with effect from 12.01am on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020 in line with amendments to address economic, socio-political, and health considerations reflected in the implementation guidelines.
Mustapha stressed that Buhari had considered the fact that the six-month mandate of the PTF would expire in September and had extended it till the end of December.
In his remarks, the National Coordinator, PTF on Covid-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, disclosed that people on essential service and travellers returning from abroad were exempted from the curfew.
He said: “I will first of all start with general movement. We are modifying the curfew to commence from 12 midnight to 4a.m. nationwide effective from 12:00 tonight.
“This does not apply to people on essential services and international travellers that may be returning from abroad,” he said.
He advised state governments to adopt a phased reopening of schools to ensure that the health of pupils are not jeopardized.
