•  Fg's Approval on 'safe reopening' of schools and lifting of bans on interstate travel.


The federal government has approved what it called “safe reopening” of schools nationwide in the next phase of the gradual easing of lockdown ordered to curtail further spread of COVID-19.

The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, said this on Monday in Abuja at the 47th joint national briefing of the committee.

Speaking earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said that President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the extension of ease of lockdown by four weeks.

Read Also: Fg Approves 'Safe reopening Of Schools

“Permission of movement across state borders only outside curfew hours with effect from 1st July, 2020; enforcement of laws around non-pharmaceutical interventions by States, in particular, the use of face masks in public places.

“Safe re-opening of schools to allow students in graduating classes resume in-person in preparation for examinations; safe reopening of domestic aviation services as soon as practicable,” Mustapha said.
Read Also: Fg Approves 'Safe reopening Of Schools

For the inter-state travels however, the curfew of 10pm – 4am stands.

Recall that the federal government had last week listed Isolation centers as one of the mandatory conditions that schools and learning institutions in the country must meet before reopening.

The conditions are contained in a 36-page document submitted to the Senate by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu for their Information.

The document obtained by our reporter is titled: “Guidelines for schools and learning facilities reopening after COVID-19 pandemic closure.”

The Minister, in his forward to the document, described the conditions as key strategies for implementing safe, efficient, and equitable plans for school reopening and operations.

He noted: “Given that COVID-19 may be with us for a while, the guidelines also highlight the urgent need to maintain and improve upon distance learning programs.”