BREAKING: Federal Government extends gradual ease of lockdown by two weeks

The Federal Government , on Monday , said the recent order of the President , Buhari, on gradual ease of lockdown will remain in force for another two weeks . According to Punch Newspaper, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID – 19 , Boss Mustapha , disclosed this at the daily briefing of the task force in Abuja .
The President had on April 27 , announced a “ phased and gradual easing” of the lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory , Lagos and Ogun states, while declaring a nationwide curfew with effect from May 4 .
He also ordered a ban on all inter -state movements .
Mustapha , who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , said in spite of the modest progress made, Nigeria was not yet ready for full opening of the economy “ and tough decisions have to be taken for the good of the greater majority. ”

He said , “ Any relaxation will only portend grave danger for our populace .
“​ Advisedly , the current phase of eased restriction will be maintained for another two weeks during which stricter enforcement and persuasion measures will be pursued .
“ The two weeks extension of Phase One of the eased restriction is also to enable other segments of the economy to prepare adequately for compliance with the guidelines , preparatory to reopening in the coming weeks. ”
For the avoidance of doubt , the SGF added that “ Mr President has approved the following : ( i ) The measures , exemptions , advisories , and scope of entities allowed to reopen under phase one of the eased locked down , shall be maintained across the federation for another two weeks effective from 12 00 midnight today ( 18 th May , 2020 to 1 st June, 2020 );
“( ii ) intensifying efforts to ‘tell ( communicate ) , trace ( identify ) and treat ( manage )’ cases ;
“( iii ) elevating the level of community ownership of non -pharmaceutical interventions ;
“( iv )​ Maintain the existing lockdown order in Kano for an additional two weeks ;
“( v) Imposition of precision lockdown in states, or in metropolitan/ high-burden LGAs , that are reporting a rapidly increasing number of cases , when the need arises . This would be complemented with the provision of palliatives and continued re – evaluation of the impact of the interventions ; and
“( vi )​ Aggressive scale- up of efforts to ensure that communities are informed , engaged and participating in the response with enhanced public awareness in high-risk states. ”