By Williams Anuku, Abuja
THE Federal Government has directed the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, chaired by Boss Mustapha, who doubles as Secretary to the Government of the Federation to allow for the resumption of outdoor sporting activities like league matches.
The Presidency gave approval that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) be allowed to commence camping activities from November 10th, including allowing civil servants from grade levels 1-12 to resume work full time.
All these measures were taken on Thursday, after the PTF presented the 8th Interim Report and recommendations to the President, Muhammadu Buhari to enable the National Response proceed into the next phase.
Boss while reeling out the latest measures said the protective protocols must be observed, just as he warned that the virus was taking its toll in some countries of the world.
“After a very careful review of the national response, the PTF believes that while recent numbers point to a likely flattening of the curve consistent with emerging epidemic control, Nigeria is not yet ready for a full-reopening of the economy.
“It has accordingly recommended and Mr President has approved the following: that Nigeria further relaxes the restrictions in this third phase of the response, while maintaining key limitations to curb the risk of a spike in cases. The major changes proposed by the PTF are as follows, Gradual and safe re-opening of schools and NYSC camps; Re-commencement of sporting leagues, in particular all outdoor activities such as football; Sustaining the midnight-4am curfew on movement nationwide; and Removal of the limitation on civil servants allowed to come to work.
“Other measures approved by Mr. President include:maintaining the third Phase of the National Response to COVID-19 for a period of four weeks with effect from 00.01am on Monday, 19th October, 2020 in line with amendments to address economic, socio-political and health considerations reflected in the table above;
“Sustain engagement with States and Local Governments to improve community sensitisation and sample collection;continue to monitor the impact of school re-opening and the commencement of international travel and enforcing compliance with the protocols set out for the safe resumption of these activities; and maintaining the already established non-pharmaceutical interventions nationwide in order to flatten the curve”
The SGF warned that much as the world is coming to terms with the new normal, emerging statistics indicate that we still have to be cautious, vigilant by taking responsibility.
According to him, as at the 14th of October, 2020, the summary of the global situation for COVID-19 stood at cumulative case count had exceeded 38 million.
“The United States, India, Brazil, and Russia were recording over a million cases;On the African continent, South Africa continues to record the highest case count, with Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia and Nigeria following in that order”
