President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the measures approved on the gradual easing of the lockdown by another two weeks, effective from the midnight of May 18 to June 1, 2020.
The Chairman Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, announced the extension on Monday at a press briefing in Abuja.
He said: “Ladies and gentlemen, 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.
“Any relaxation will only portend grave danger for our populace.
“Advisedly, the current phase of eased restriction will be maintained for another two weeks during which stricter enforcement and persuasion measures will be pursued.
“Based on the recommendations of the PTF, Mr President 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.”
