According to a new revision by The Federal Government through the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, the committee introduced new measures with one of the highlights being the removal of formal restrictions on movement within the country with the lifting of a nationwide curfew imposed from 12 midnight to 4 am.
The committee also announced it has removed limitations on both domestic and international air travel, adding that the advisory limiting Nigerians to essential travels only has been lifted, although citizens need to refrain from non-essential movement and comply with non-pharmaceutical interventions guidelines such as the mandatory use of facemask/facial coverings in public, given the risks involved.
Other highlights include the lifting of limitations on the number of persons attending weddings, conferences, office parties, seminars, end of year events, others, as well as the lifting of the ban on concerts, street parties, carnivals, although the use of facemasks are still mandatory for indoor events.
The government said the social restriction recommendations were revised in line with the three established thematic areas – movement, industry and labour, as well as community activities
What the PSC on Covid-19 is saying
The statement partly reads, “Use of face mask to be mandatory for indoor activities but at individual’s discretion during outdoor activities; those aged 60 and above or with co-morbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are advised to uphold the use of universal precaution which includes the use of face mask, avoid crowd, and frequent use of hand sanitizers.
“No limitation on air travels – both domestic and international flights; both international and domestic travelers must abide by all existing protocols, including the use of face mask while onboard and taking personal precaution measures; and all arriving international passengers must register with the Nigeria International Travel Portal (https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng) and abide by the travel guidelines.
“No limitations on inter or intra-state travel; all vendors and service providers must abide by stated stipulations from the Federal Ministry of Transportation; all passengers and commuters must wear face masks once on board, as well as continue to observe personal precautionary measures.”
The Federal Government through the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Covid-19 has in a new revision of Nigeria’s response to the pandemic made major changes to some of the earlier introduced measures in view of the declining number of cases.
This is coming a few days after the federal government introduced a new international travel guideline for passengers and airlines.
According to a monitored report on ChannelsTV, the committee in a statement dated April 2, explained that the decision followed the reduced risk of importation of new variants, as well as the availability of vaccines and the increasing number of people vaccinated in Nigeria and globally.
