The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) says the night-time curfew in place has been further relaxed to 12:01 am to 4:00 am.
National Coordinator of PTF, Dr Sani Aliyu, made this known during a briefing at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday.
“I will first of all start with general movement. We are modifying the curfew to commence from 12 midnight to 4am nationwide, effective from 12:00 tonight.
“This does not apply to people on essential services and international travellers that might be returning from abroad,” Aliyu stated.
The Herald can report that the previous curfew was from 10pm and 4am.
According to the Chairman of PTF and Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha, this was among recommendations in the third phase of the National Response on COVID-19 pandemic approved by President Mohammadu Buhari.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting between the committee and the President, Mustapha said “Nigerians will all recall that at the onset of the eased lockdown, the PTF drafted a three-phase strategy of easing the restrictions, ahead of a full reopening of the society and economy.
“In determining what phase of the strategy to move to, the PTF tried to balance the public health and economic considerations alongside data analysis.
“The PTF believes that while Nigeria is not ready for a full re-opening of the economy, there has been sufficient progress to warrant significant further relaxation of the restrictions applied.
“Based on the foregoing, the PTF today submitted its 7th Interim Report to Mr. President for his consideration and approval.
“The main thrust of the recommendation is that Nigeria advances to the third phase of eased restrictions with further amendments, to address economic, socio-political and health concerns.
“This will last till a time when the epidemic is sufficiently controlled in Nigeria.
“Accordingly, Mr. President has considered and approved the following: Transition into the third Phase of the National Response to COVID-19 for a period of four weeks with effect from 12.01 am on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, in line with amendments to address economic, socio-political and health considerations reflected in the implementation guidelines;
“Continued engagement with States and Local Governments to improve community sensitisation on the response; Maintaining the current non-pharmaceutical interventions nationwide; Urging the State governments to work with Local Government authorities in their states to intensify necessary measures such as contact tracing, grassroots engagement and risk communication,”.
The SGF also said that the president has approved collaboration between the Federal and State organs to harmonise the country’s COVID-19 response.
“in the short, medium and long-term basis; and Introduction of sanctions including the suspension of passports or denial of foreign travels for violation of current provisional travel related quarantine protocols.
He also said that the President has approved the extension of the mandate of the PTF until the end of December, 2020.