The Presidential Task Force on the Control of COVID-19 has said the nation’s economy would open in phases spanning a six-week period.
This was disclosed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force, Mr Boss Mustapha in Abuja at the daily national briefing of the committee.
He said the phased strategy of reopening the country’s economy was designed to reduce the pains of socio-economic disruptions adding that the period would allow the strengthening of public health response, which would provide succour to the poor and vulnerable.
“The gradual reopening of the economy will span a total of six weeks broken into three tranches of two weeks each. This phased strategy is designed to reduce the pains of socio-economic disruptions while strengthening our public health response, which would ultimately help the recovery of our economy and provide succour to the poor and vulnerable.
“In line with Mr. President’s directive in paragraphs 38-41 of his broadcast, the PTF has developed sector specific guidelines. The gradual reopening of the economy will span a total of six weeks broken into three tranches of two weeks each.
”This phased strategy is designed to reduce the pains of socio-economic disruptions while strengthening our public health response, which would ultimately reduce the recovery of our economy and provide succour to the poor and vulnerable.
“To underscore the collaborative efforts with Sub-National levels of Government, they are encouraged to provide leadership in engaging relevant associations responsible for various sectors e.g market associations and transport unions for orderly and effective implementation.
“Similarly, I want to emphasise the need for the security agencies to strictly enforce these new measures that have been put in place,” he said.
He said the Technical Team of Public Health Experts sent to Kano state has commenced evaluation of the situation in the state while 50 trucks of assorted grains have been sent to Kano and would be delivered within the next 48 hours.
“In furtherance of tackling the situation in Kano, the technical team of public health experts sent by the PTF has begun the evaluation of the situation in the State, working in collaboration with the State’s Team. I am pleased to also inform you that the operationalization of the laboratories in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Bayero University Kano, will considerably improve our response to the pandemic in Kano State, adding that fifty trucks of assorted grains have been sent to Kano and due for delivery within the next 48 hours.
The PTF Boss said appreciates the cooperation of the Governor and the medical team in Kano State, explaining that the overnight curfew is applicable nationwide from 8.00pm to 06.00am
daily, effective Monday, 4th of May, 2020,” he said.
Also speaking, National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force, Dr Sani Aliyu, said public transportation would resume operations on Monday but within the confines of already released protocols and regulations.“On public transport, outside the curfew hours, buses and motor parks will be allowed to open for some hours in a day I believe from 6am to 6pm and taxis will also be allowed to operate. But because this is a respiratory balance infections what we are really trying to do is to limit interactions between persons. Because if you come in contact with a person who is infected, it is a highly infectious organism and we don’t want you to end up with COVID and one of the best ways of preventing transmission is to put space between you and the other person,” he said.
He said the lockdown was now relaxed but that the government was moving to more of a containment phase.