Ease of COVID-19 lockdown: What you need to know

In its continued phased and gradual ease of the COVID-19 lockdown, the Presidential Taskforce on Monday enumerated areas where restrictions would be lifted to allow for reopening of the economy ravaged by the impact of the pandemic. During its daily briefing to the nation on the state of affairs in the fight against the novel […]

In its continued phased and gradual ease of the COVID-19 lockdown, the Presidential Taskforce on Monday enumerated areas where restrictions would be lifted to allow for reopening of the economy ravaged by the impact of the pandemic.

During its daily briefing to the nation on the state of affairs in the fight against the novel coronavirus in Abuja, the PTF announced that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the continuous lifting of some restrictions.

The Chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha revealed that sequel to their recommendation, the President allows for the lifting of the following restrictions;

—Worship centres to reopen with guidelines

The lockdown imposed earlier to stem the spread of COVID-19 saw all worship centres (mosques and churches) shutdown.

The first phase of the gradual ease of the lockdown did not allow places of worship to open despite calls by clerics.

However, in this phase, Boss Mustapha announced that the government has approved the “relaxation of restriction on places of Worship based on guidelines issued by the PTF and Protocols agreed by State Governments”.

—Kano total lockdown lifted

The FG has also eased the total lockdown of Kano State which was imposed after the outbreak and spread of the virus in the state.

Mustapha stated that the government also approved for “easing the total lockdown of Kano State and introduction of Phase One of the Eased Lockdown”.

— Nationwide curfew reviewed

However, as part of the gradual ease of the lockdown, the government also announced that the nationwide curfew imposed from 8:00pm to 6:00am has been reviewed to 10pm to 4am.

The PTF said the reduction of the curfew by four hours is based on guidelines and protocols agreed by states.

—Hotels and restaurants to reopen

The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, said while hotels may reopen, restaurants outside of hotels must remain closed for eat-in, except takeout or take away orders only.

—Banks to reopen

Aliyu also announced the reopening of the nation’s financial sectors, adding that they would be fully operational.

He said, “There will be full opening of financial sectors, with banks now allowed to operate normal working hours, five days a week”.

—Aviation obtains green light to reopen June 21

The Federal Government also approved the opening of the nation’s airport for domestic flights from June 21.

This will be subject to fulfilment of two (2) key requirements of “technical and health” measures pegged by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

“On the technical aspect, the aircraft themselves that have been parked for about three months not being run, we have to ensure that within now, these airplanes are good and safe to fly,” he said