New guideline for eased lockdown for hotels, worship centres, schools etc

The federal government has issued a new set of guidelines in a new phase of the easing of lockdown.

President Muhammadu Buhari had locked down Abuja, Lagos and Ogun for five weeks following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. On May 4, the federal government eased the lockdown and put some measures in place such as imposing a curfew from 8pm to 6am, use of face masks and social distancing, among others.

So far, Nigeria has recorded 10,162 cases of COVID-19. While 3,007 have recovered from the disease, 287 people have died.

Speaking at the daily press conference of the presidential task force on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu, national coordinator of the task force, said effective from Tuesday, June 2, the easing of the lockdown will be characterised by the following:

• The curfew has further been relaxed to between 10pm and 4am.
• There would be full opening for the financial sector with banks now allowed to operate with more working hours five days a week.
• There would be controlled access to markets and locations of places of economic activities but local authorities will continue to provide guidance on opening times.
• Relaxation of restriction on places of Worship will be based on guidelines issued by the PTF and Protocols agreed by State Governments.
• Mandatory supervised isolation of person of persons arriving the country will continue to be for 14 days until a new policy comes into play.
• There would be no further evacuation of Nigerians until a new policy currently developed with the private sector comes into place.
• Ban of gatherings of more than 20 people outside of a workplace
• Hotels may reopen but must observe all mandatory non-pharmaceutical intervention.
• Restaurants other than those in hotels must remain closed for eating but are allowed to prioritize and continue practicing the take-away system.
• Bars, gyms, cinemas and night clubs are closed till further evaluation.
• Schools remain closed