Update: FG extends gradual easing of lockdown by 2 weeks

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended the gradual easing of the COVID-19 lockdown across the country by two additional weeks.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, who also doubles as the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF). He made the disclosure earlier today during the daily media briefing of the task force in Abuja.

READ ALSO: FG grants new MSMEs 80% discount on NAFDAC registration

The SGF pointed out that in spite of the modest progress made, the country is still not yet ready for full reopening of the economy and said that tough decisions have to be taken for the good of the greater majority.

In his address, Boss Mustapha said, ”For the PTF, we share your pains but our future is in the hands of every Nigerian and future decisions will depend greatly on our compliance. 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 (18^th May 2020 to 1^st June 2020),” he said.

”Specific implementation guidelines would be communicated by the National Coordinator during this press briefing and would be circulated through the conventional and social media’’

‘’The PTF shall engage with the states on the effective implementation of these guidelines as contained in the address of Mr President on 27^th April 2020. State Governors are reminded to align their state-specific measures with the guidelines issued by the PTF”, the SGF said.

It can be recalled that the President had announced a phased and gradual easing of the lockdown in Lagos State, Ogun State and the Federal Capital Territory in his nationwide broadcast on update and measures for the containment of the coronavirus pandemic on April 27.