Nigerian govt extends relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown by one month

The Federal Government has extended phase three of the relaxation of the COVID-19 lockdown by one month.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, who announced this at the weekly briefing of the task force in Abuja on Monday, said the initial 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine would arrive in Nigeria early next month.

He said: “The PTF is improving on the International Travel Portal to minimise the challenges passengers keep encountering.

“Similarly, it is reviewing the guidelines on the implementation of phase three of the eased lockdown which is due to expire today.

“In view of the fact that our COVID-19 numbers are not abating, all extant measures prescribed in these guidelines, subject to some modifications, are extended by a period of one month with effect from Tuesday, January 26, 2020.”

“On the COVID-19 vaccines, we wish to assure all Nigerians that the vaccines will be safe and effective when eventually it is deployed. We enjoin everyone to join in the campaign to eliminate vaccine hesitancy.

READ ALSO: ‘Let’s avoid second COVID-19 lockdown,’ PTF charges Nigerians

“However, I have to advise all Nigerians that the only source of vaccines that is safe and effective in Nigeria is through the channels of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

“Please do not patronise anyone hawking or marketing vaccines.”

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed 964 fresh COVID-19 cases in 18 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday night.

The cases brought the number of persons that had contracted the virus in Nigeria to 121, 566 and 1, 504 fatalities.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now