COVID-19: Lockdown relaxation to be reviewed this week, says PTF coordinator

The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu, has announced that the ongoing relaxation of the lockdown across the country would be reviewed by the end of the week.

Aliyu, who disclosed this on Tuesday during the daily briefing of the PTF in Abuja, said such review has become necessary to ascertain the easing of the lockdown which would guide further decisions.

According to him, “We continue to monitor closely some of the guidelines we have produced. You are probably aware that by the end of this week, we will be coming to the end of the second week of easing the lockdown and we will be taking further decisions based on the review of the performance of the restrictions that we have in place. And we will not hesitate to change our strategy if it looks like it is not working.”

The PTF coordinator enjoined Nigerians to stop embarking on interstate travels, pointing out that such has been facilitating the spread of the pandemic in the country.

He added: “The PTF continues to see disturbing trends where vehicles are carrying large numbers of people across state borders.

“We urge the public to please refrain from interstate travels. Only travels that are essential or travel involving the conveyance of essential goods is allowed.

“Movement across state borders is fast tracking the dissemination and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country. We are advising state governments across the country and security agencies to increase those measures and surveillance required to keep people within the state borders.”