COVID-19 : FG Lifts Ban on Interstate Travel Outside Curfew Hours

SWITZERLAND, JUNE 30 – As part of the gradual easing of the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government has lifted the ban on interstate travel outside curfew hours.

Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce PTF on Covid-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha disclosed this at a briefing Monday in Abuja.

The curfew imposed by the government currently runs from 10pm to 4am.

However, the government is currently considering the lockdown of selected 18 Local Government Areas across the country, with high number of confirmed cases. Below are the names of the selected local government areas and their respective states:

1 – Lagos – Lagos Mainland LG

2 – Abuja – Abuja Municipal

3 – Lagos – Mushin

4 – Lagos – Eti-Osa

5 – Kano – Tarauni

6 – katsina – Katsina

7 – Lagos – Alimosho

8 – Borno – Maiduguri

9 – Lagos – Kosofe

10 – Jigawa – Dutse

11 – Lagos – Ikeja

12 – Kano – Nassarawa

13 – Lagos – Oshodi/Isolo

14 – Lagos – Apapa

15 – Lagos – Amuwo Odofin

16 – Edo – Oredo

17 – Bauchi – Bauchi

18 – Lagos – Lagos Island

19 – Lagos – Surulere

20 – Ogun – Ado Odo/Ota

Meanwhile, Mustapha also revealed during the briefing, that the Federal Government has extended the Phase Two of the eased lockdown by four weeks.

He said within this extended phase, there will also be a safe re-opening of schools to allow graduating students back to classes, while interstate movements would only take place outside curfew hours.

Announcing the new measures, the SGF said; “I am pleased to inform you that Mr. President has carefully considered the 5th Interim Report of the PTF and has accordingly approved that, with the exception of some modifications to be expatiated upon later, the Phase Two of the eased lockdown be extended by another four weeks with effect from Tuesday, June 30, 2020 through Midnight of Monday, 27 July, 2020.

“Specifically, however, the following measures shall either remain in place or come into effect: Maintaining the current phase of the national response for another four weeks in line with modifications to be expatriated by the National Coordinator;

Permission of movement across State borders only outside curfew hours with effect from 1st July, 2020;

Enforcement of laws around non-pharmaceutical interventions by States, in particular, the use of face masks in public places; Safe re-opening of schools to allow students in graduating classes resume in-person in preparation for examinations and; Safe reopening of domestic aviation services as soon as practicable”.