…No further evacuation of Nigerians abroad
…Schools remain closed
…Airlines to fly from 21st of June
MON, JUN 01 2020-theG&BJournal- President Muhammadu Buhari has approved new measures to guide the second phase of the easing of the nationwide lockdown which is aimed at balancing public safety and economic activity.
The new measure announced today by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, is to be implemented over the next four weeks spanning 2nd to 29th June 2020, subject to review, and will be guided by the application of science and data to guide the targeting of areas of on-going high transmission of COVID-19 in the country.
The National Coordinator of the PTF Sani Aliyu clarified the measures:
-In the second phase, the ban on inter-state travels by individuals remains, except for movement of agricultural produce, petroleum products, manufactured goods and essential services. All restrictions on the free movement of goods and services now in place in states are removed in the state this phase of cautious easing. Security forces are to ensure that goods are provided with free passage as this particular phase is directed at ensuring that the economy starts moving again
-All restrictions on the banking sector have been lifted with banks now free to operate normal working hours, five days a week.
-The ban on mass gathering of more than 20 people outside of workplace or places of worship remains prohibited
-Restriction on places of worship is lifted but based on guidelines issued by the PTF and protocols agreed by the State Governments. This will apply to regular church and Mosque services only.
-There will also be controlled access to markets and locations of economic activities but local authorities will continue to provide guidance at all times to limit the risk of transmission.
-The will also be mandatory supervision of persons arriving from outside the country will continue to be for 14 days until a new policy comes into place.
-There will be no further evacuation of Nigerians until the new policy that is being currently developed with the private sector comes into place. So any prior arrangement for the evacuation of Nigerians is suspended until the new policy comes into place.
-Hawking and street trading stays prohibited
-For the aviation, the sector is required to start developing protocols to allow for domestic flights to resume anytime from 21st of June onwards. Airlines must ensure physical distancing by reducing passenger capacity, ensure the provisions of sanitizers and appropriate personal protective equipment as well as carrying out temperature checks at points of entry and departure, and ensuring that airports are not congested by travellers or airport staff.
-For the industry and labour sectors, in terms of working hours, normal working hours will apply to offices other than government offices, provided that this kept within the curfew hours of 10pm to 4am. Offices are to maintain workforce at 75% capacity while maintain the 2 meter physical distancing.
For government, opening can be from 9am to 2pm, so no change in opening hours but they can work from Mondays to Fridays. Prior to this only a three day working week was allowed. However, only persons within the Grade Level 14 and above at both the Federal and the State Government will be allowed to come into work. Staff are encouraged to work from home if possible including within the business and private sector, making use the best available technology
-Mechanic, artisans, hair saloons that own their workplace, provided they strictly adhere to non-pharmaceutical interventions are allowed to operate from now on but must ensure that they wear face masks while providing services, and ensure the provision of sanitizers, limit the number of workers and customers within their premises
-Hotels may also reopen but must observe all mandatory non-pharmaceutical interventions.
-The agriculture will continue to receive support to ensure food security for the citizens. Farmers are now allowed to go about their normal activities provided they observe all mandatory non-pharmaceutical interventions.
-All schools are to remain closed until further evaluation. The schools are work towards taking their examinations in the next phase of the easing of lockdown.
Recreation parks and communal sports will remain closed until further evaluation.
-State governments and security agencies are to ensure effective and strict enforcement of these guidelines while respecting approved exemptions by the President.
The timing for the curfew currently in place has been reduced, from 10pm to 4am. The purpose of the curfew is to limit social interaction and therefore reduce the rates of transmission of the virus.
The approval to advance into the second phase of the eased lockdown followed the overall assessment of the country’s situation by PTF on COVID-19, including available data on the public health considerations and resultant economic impacts.
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