By GRACE AUDU, Abuja –
The Nigeria government has further relaxed the lockdown in the country due to COVID-19 pandemic by lifting the ban on the opening of churches and mosques.
The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the virus and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, announced this at the daily briefing in Abuja on Monday.
Mustapha explained that the latest measure was the second phase of l gradual ease of the lockdown which has lasted over two months.
Mr. Mustapha, at the briefing however warned that the ban on inter-state travel was still in place.
Mr. Mustapha said: “Relaxation of restriction on places of worship based on guidelines, issued by the PTF and protocols agreed by state governments.
“Managed access to markets and locations of economic activity to limit the risk of transmission.
“Ban on inter-state travels except for the movement of agricultural produce, petroleum products, manufactured goods, and essential services;
“Mandatory use of non-medical face masks in public places;
“Mandatory provision of handwashing facilities/sanitisers in all public places’’.
Also speaking at the briefing, the National Coordinator of PTF declared that the schools remain closed.
It will be recalled that the PTF met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday and recommended among others that the State Governors should charge of COVID-19 incidents in their domains, but with the FG Coordination.
As at late Sunday, Nigeria has recorded 10,162 confirmed cases of Coronavirus.
According to Nigeria for Centre Disease Control (NCDC) in its daily update, the discharged cases have also increased to 3007, while the deaths stand at 287.
Meanwhile, Nigerian
The National Coordinator of the PTF, Sani Aliyu, says airline operators in Nigeria will return to business from 21 June.
Aliyu, who made this known during the PTF’s daily media briefing in Abuja on Monday, said “the aviation industry is requested to start developing protocols to allow for domestic flights to resume anytime from the 21st of June onwards.”
Aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, however clarified that June 21 was a tentative date for flight resumption.
Sirika said: “Certain conditions have to be fulfilled between now and then.”
He explained that the aircrafts have to be good and safe to fly, and that within now and June 21,necessary recertifications and medicals for pilots and crew members would be done.
The PTF however extended the ban on inter-state travels except for movement of agricultural produce, petroleum products, manufactured goods and essential services.
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