Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
… As Schools, Bars, Gyms, Cinemas, Nightclubs, Ors remain Closed
… Banks opening Comes up in full Scale
… Aviation, Inter-State Travels etc still in force
By Inemesit Amos
Amidst the increasing number of Coronavirus pandemic in the country, the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has ordered for the re-opening of Churches and Mosques across the country with immediate effect.
Addressing media professionals and other stakeholders in Abuja recently, the Chairman of the PTF who also is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha also announced the reduction in the nationwide curfew as follows: “1. Nationwide curfew remains in place, the timing now 10pm-4am 2. Full opening of the financial sector – normal working hours 3. Restricted opening of places of worship, (regular church & mosque services ONLY), to be based on State Government protocols 4. Interstate travel remains prohibited except for goods &essential travel 5. Gathering of not more than 20 persons remains prohibited; outside of workplaces + religious services 6. Aviation Industry requested to start developing protocols for domestic flights to possibly resume from June 21”.
The SGF continued thus, “hotels may reopen. Restaurants outside of hotels must remain closed for eat-in—TAKEOUT ONLY. Bars, gyms, cinemas, nightclubs, parks closed until further evaluation. All schools to remain closed until further evaluation. Offices maintain 2m physical distancing + 75% max capacity. All guidelines as issued by #PTFCOVID19. Guidelines to be implemented/enforced by State Governments. All permitted openings (hotels, religious services etc) to maintain non-pharmaceutical interventions (masks, sanitizers/hand washing, 2m distancing, capacity limits, etc)”.
The chairman of the PTF further announced that the ban on interstate travel would remain enforced, “ban on inter-state travels except for the movement of agricultural produce, petroleum products, manufactured goods and essential services remain enforced,” he said.
The ban on all domestic flights to remain in full force. He called on the Aviation industry to develop guidelines and protocols for resumed operation from June 21, while he tasked the federal Ministry of Education to do same for the safe reopening of schools.
