Thread by @FMINONigeria

The #PTFCOVID19 Press Briefing for today now underway.

You can watch live on NTA, TVC, Channels TV and online.

Today’s briefing is taking place at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja in preparation for resumption of International flights.

#PTFCOVID19 Press Briefing:
“I will first of all start with general movement. We are modifying the curfew to commence from 12 midnight to 4am nationwide, effective from 12:00 tonight.”-@DrSaniAliyu

...This does not apply to people on essential services and international travellers that might be returning from abroad.”-@DrSaniAliyu

“Nigeria now has 68 laboratories in the COVID-19 network, spread across 34 States and the FCT. The remaining two (Kebbi and Niger) States are in the pipeline for coverage in the next few weeks”-SGF/Chairman #PTFCOVID19 Boss Mustapha

PTF has strengthened collaboration with all the States in the country to maintain one national response to address the pandemic.This has been driven by joint work between the PTF and a sub-committee of the National Economic Council chaired by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta St.

“The #PTFCOVID19 believes that while Nigeria is not ready for a full re-opening of the economy, there has been sufficient progress to warrant significant further relaxation of the restrictions applied.”-SGF/PTF Chairman Boss Mustapha

“Based on the foregoing, the PTF today submitted its 7th Interim Report to Mr. President for his consideration and approval...

...The main thrust of the recommendation is that Nigeria advances to the third phase of eased restrictions with further amendments, to address economic, socio-political and health concerns.”-SGF/Chairman #PTFCOVID19 Boss Mustapha

“Accordingly, Mr. President has considered and approved the following: Transition into the third Phase of the National Response to COVID-19 for a period of four weeks with effect from 12.01 am on Friday 4th September, 2020...

...in line with amendments to address economic, socio-political and health considerations reflected in the implementation guidelines”- SGF/Chairman #PTFCOVID19 Boss Mustapha

ii.Continued engagement with States and Local Governments to improve community sensitisation on the response;

iii.Maintaining the current non-pharmaceutical interventions nationwide;
iv.Urging the State governments to work with Local Government authorities in their states to intensify necessary measures such as contact tracing, grassroots engagement and risk communication;

v.Strengthening the collaboration between the Federal and State organs to harmonise the country’s COVID-19 response, in the short, medium and long-term basis; and

vi.Introduction of sanctions including the suspension of passports or denial of foreign travels for violation of current provisional travel related quarantine protocols.

Mr. President has similarly considered the fact that the six-month mandate of the PTF will expire this month and has therefore extended it till the end of December, 2020.