As Curfew, Interstate Travel Ban Stand
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Pandemic, has revealed that the current phase of eased restriction will be maintained for another two weeks during which stricter enforcement and persuasion measures will be pursued.
The Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made the disclosure at the national briefing by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 for Monday, 18th May, 2020.
He said the two weeks extension of phase one of the eased restriction is also to enable other segments of the economy prepare adequately for compliance with the guidelines, preparatory to reopening in the coming weeks.
Mustapha, who noted that the briefing was significant as it provides an opportunity to assess progress made in the first phase of the three-pronged strategy, said the reality is that in spite of the modest progress made, Nigeria is not yet ready for full opening of the economy and tough decisions have to be taken for the good of the greater majority, adding that any relaxation will only portend grave danger for the populace.
According to him, “the outcomes of the first phase of the eased lockdown have been mixed. While some objectives were met, our assessment showed that non-compliance was rampant but the PTF nevertheless continued to persuade the populace through its messaging and daily briefing, on the need to take responsibility.
“The PTF considers it important to let you know that it has relied largely on science, statistics, lessons learnt from other parts of the world and an evaluation of our peculiar circumstances to draw its conclusions on the outcome of the last two weeks.
“Therefore, our consideration of ease of restrictions has to balance lives and livelihoods and the slow and gradually phased approach should be science and data driven”, he said.
He further revealed that based on the recommendations of the PTF, President Buhari has approved the following: “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);
“Intensifying efforts to ‘tell (communicate), trace (identify) and treat (manage)’ cases; elevating the level of community ownership of non-pharmaceutical interventions;
“Maintain the existing lockdown order in Kano for an additional two weeks; 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
“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”.
Mustapha further noted that specific directive has been issued to the security agencies to carry out strict enforcement of all measures which include— the nationwide curfew from 8.00pm to 6.00pm; the ban on interstate travels and the wearing of face masks/coverings in public.
He also urged the security agents to be mindful of the human rights of citizens, while citizens are equally urged to recognize the dangers posed to self, their loved ones and the entire community if they fail to take responsibility.
“Let me state categorically, that the exemptions allowed under phase one are still in place. Particularly, Government remains conscious of the fact that we are in the rainy season and farming activities are critical to food and national security. It should therefore, not be hindered”, he pointed out.
Recall that in the national broadcast of 27th April, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari announced a phased and gradual easing of the lockdown in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory along with additional nationwide measures aimed at ensuring that the economy continued to function within the limiting constraints posed by COVID-19 pandemic which took effect on 4th May, 2020.
