Nigerian Government Lifts Ban On Religious Gatherings, Reduces Curfew Hours

The Nigerian Government has announced the lifting of the ban on religious gathering in the country.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made the announcement on Monday.

He said, “The PTF submitted its recommendations and the President has approved the following for implementation over the next four weeks spanning 2nd – 29th June, 2020, subject to review-:

“Cautious advance into the Second Phase of the national response to COVID-19; application of science and data to guide the targeting of areas of on-going high transmission of COVID-19 in the country.

“Mobilisation of all resources at state and local government levels to create public awareness on COVID-19 and improve compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions within communities; sustenance of key non-pharmaceutical interventions that would apply nationwide and include: ban of gatherings of more than 20 people outside of a workplace.

“Relaxation of restriction on places of worship based on guidelines issued by the PTF and protocols agreed by state governments.”

The government also relaxed the existing nationwide curfew in the country.

Bashir Ahmad, Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media, in a tweet said, “BREAKING: The Presidential Task Force on COVID–19 has reduced the nationwide curfew. Effective from tomorrow, the curfew starts from 10pm - 4am."