Headlines
FG lifts ban on interstate travel, reopens schools
OBINNA EZUGWU
The Federal Government has lifted ban placed on interstate travels with effect from July 1, provided such journeys are made outside curfew hours of 10pm – 4am.
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, who disclosed this on Monday, also announced the reopening of schools as part of modifications to the COVID-19 lockdown, the phase two of which it extended for another 30 days.
The resumption is, however, limited to graduating JSS 3 and SSS 3 preparing to write their final examinations.
Mr. Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), equally announced that airports would reopen in phases.
He disclosed that the latest developments were contained in the task force’s fifth interim report which was submitted to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), earlier in the day.
“I am pleased to inform you that Mr President has carefully considered the 5th Interim Report of the PTF and has accordingly approved that, with the exception of some modifications to be expatiated upon later, the Phase Two of the eased lockdown be extended by another four weeks with effect from Tuesday, June 30, 2020 through Midnight of Monday, 27 July, 2020, Mustapha said at the PTF briefing on Monday.
“Specifically, however, the following measures shall either remain in place or come into effect:
“Maintaining the current phase of the national response, for another four weeks in line with modifications to be expatiated by the National Coordinator;
“Permission of movement across state borders only outside curfew hours with effect from 1st July, 2020;
“Enforcement of laws around non-pharmaceutical interventions by States, in particular, the use of face masks in public places;
“Safe re-opening of schools to allow students in graduating classes resume in-person in preparation for examinations;
“Safe reopening of domestic aviation services as soon as practicable;
“Publication of revised guidelines around the three thematic areas of general movement, industry and labour; and community activities;
“Provision of technical support for states to mobilise additional resources for the response.”
