The federal government has extended the second phase of the eased lockdown by four weeks.
Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic made the announcement in Abuja on Thursday.
National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr Sani Aliyu, explained that most of the guidelines pertaining to non-pharmaceutical interventions, would remain except for some minor adjustments where required.
His words: “For the past nine weeks (precisely from 2nd June, 2020), we have been running the phase two of the eased lockdown which has witnessed two extensions. These extensions were necessitated by observed lack of compliance with prescribed measures, dangers associated with community spread infections and the need to strengthen critical areas of the Response Strategy for effectiveness.
“After due consideration of the recommendations, Mr. President approved the following: maintaining the current phase of the National Response to COVID-19 for another four weeks in line with the modifications reflected in the Report.”
Speaking further, Mustapha added: “Domestically, in the last month, the number of States with over 1000 confirmed cases increased from four to 10 and the FCT. While Nigeria has conducted 43 per cent more tests in July than was done in June, the positivity rate has also decreased – showing the progress made in access to testing.
“Likewise, our case management efforts have also seen a reduction in the fatality rate from 1.9% in June to 1.7 per cent in July. Community transmission is increasing, as reflected in the fact that 536 Local Government Areas – 69 per cent of the total – have reported a COVID-19 case”, he said.
