The Federal Government has relaxed emergency restrictions put in place in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic as a way of limiting its spread.
It also expressed optimism on the possibility of fully reopening the economy by December, if only Nigerians would abide by all non-pharmaceutical measures to halt spread of the pandemic.
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force PTF on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, revealed this during a briefing of the task force yesterday.
Accordingly, night-time curfew has been relaxed and would only be effective as from 12am to 4am.
Also, amusement parks, cinemas, recreation centres are to re-open but would operate at half capacity, while bars and nightclubs remain closed till further notice.
Boss Mustapha said: “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.”
He added, “Based on the foregoing, the PTF today (yesterday) 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.”
On Nigeria’s Case Fatality Ratio CFR, Boss Mustapha said “it has consistently remained at 1.9%, indicating improved case management and resulting in fewer COVID-19 deaths.”
“Similarly, the cumulative Test Positivity Ratio, TPR, which shows how many per cent of our total tests are positive, has reduced from 15.2% at the end of July to 13.3% at the end of August.”
He also noted the PTF was particularly disturbed by the low level of sample collection because of what it portended for the strategy of testing, detection, tracing, isolation and treatment.
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari has considered and approved a transition into the third phase of the National Response to COVID-19 for a period of four weeks, with effect from midnight on Friday, September 4, 2020.
Boss Mustapha revealed the decision is in line with amendments to address economic, socio-political and health considerations reflected in the implementation guidelines.
Mustapha also expressed optimism that with the cooperation of Nigerians regarding compliance with safety protocols, the nation could well be out of the woods by the end of the year.
Speaking about that, He said: “You know as a people we can decide to end or substantially reduce the rate of transmission in the country. And I believe we have the will, we have the resolve to do it. Let us exercise that will and resolve and tame this virus from its ravaging effect.”
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