PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON COVID-19
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION
5th August 2020
UPDATED IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES FOR EXTENSION OF LOCKDOWN
Section I: Guidance for Extension of Lockdown
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF-COVID-19) has continued to rely on the use of science, data and adaptation of global best practices to drive the National Response to COVID-19. The country successfully progressed to Phase Two of the eased lockdown on 1st June, 2020, with subsequent minor adjustments to accommodate gradual reopening of the economy and address challenges in key aspects of the response, including precision targeted interventions in hotspot areas. The National Response would continue to focus on delicately achieving a balance between preserving lives and livelihoods while addressing the socio-economic disruptions caused by the pandemic.
An assessment of the current Phase has revealed that non-compliance, disbelief, and the harsh economic impact of the pandemic have combined to tamper the effectiveness of measures put in place in slowing down the spread of the virus. There is clearly a need for additional efforts to improve compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions, strengthen the engagement of communities and local authorities in prevention campaigns and expand the roll-out of precision-based control measures in identified high-burden local government areas of the country. Considering this, the PTF recommends a retention of the current phase of the response with minor changes to address economic, sociopolitical and health concerns. It is believed that with these measures, the country will continue to drive an effective public health response against COVID-19 and help preserve more Nigerian lives.
Further to the considered opinion above and effective from 0001h Thursday, 6th August 2020, the measures put in place for the current Phase Two of the eased lockdown shall be maintained while addressing some specific aspects through adjustment.
This will involve:
• Maintaining the current nationwide curfew from 10pm to 4am;
• Maintaining the restrictions on mass gatherings with specific emphasis on protecting vulnerable populations;
• Gradual re-opening of international air flights within established parameters;
• Re-opening of rail transportation within established parameters;
• Granting permission to exit classes to resume ahead of examinations;
• Federal and State government offices to operate normal working hours, but only essential staff from GL.12 and above can resume work;
• Limit government meetings to virtual as much as possible while maintaining restrictions on physical meetings including official trips, oversight visits and board meetings until further notice;
• Lifting of restrictions on outdoor communal sports and opening of recreational parks for supervised exercise;
• Mandatory use of non-medical facemasks in public spaces with access to government and commercial premises to be denied for persons not wearing facemasks. ‘No mask, no entry. No mask, no service.’
The restrictions in the education and entertainment sector as well as for activities that attract mass gatherings such as operations of markets and worship centres remain. It is believed that these steps will help consolidate the gains made thus far and position the country to effectively overcome the pandemic going forward.
Section II: Protocols for Easing of Lockdown
We have made these recommendations in line with the three established thematic areas:
· Movement;
· Industry and Labour; and · Community Activities.
The table below expands on each of the thematic areas mentioned in this paragraph (underlines passages reflect new changes to protocol):
GENERAL MOVEMENT
ASPECT RECOMMENDATION
Curfew ▪ Maintaining curfew deadline at 10pm – 4am nationwide
General Movement ▪ May go out for work, to buy necessary foods and for exercise;
▪ Movement between LGAs (except metropolitan areas) is strongly discouraged unless for critical reasons such as healthcare and work, especially as it applies to high burden LGAs;
▪ Avoid unnecessary contact with people; and
▪ Mandatory use of face mask/coverings in public.
Air Transport ▪ The Aviation industry to commence process for opening international airports, provided all existing international and local prevention guidelines on COVID-19 are in place;
▪ Domestic operations to continue as per status;
▪ Ensure provision of hand sanitisers and appropriate PPEs to all workers (such as facemasks, gloves etc.);
▪ Mandatory use of face masks by passengers at all times; ▪ Temperature checks at point of entry and departure;
▪ Ensure that cargo and logistics areas are decontaminated constantly prior to handling;
▪ Carry out effective documentation of travellers to ensure contact tracing if necessary;
▪ Only travellers and airport staff to be allowed into airport structures; and
▪ Passengers to ensure they arrive early for all flights taking into consideration the delays likely to arise from these additional measures (1.5 hours domestic and 3 hours international).
Inter-State Travel ▪ Free movement of people and goods across state borders to continue but only outside curfew hours;
▪ Railway transportation commenced on 29th July, 2020 in line with COVID-19 policies and protocols;
▪ The following measures apply to all travellers:
➢ Strict compliance with the Federal Ministry of Transportation guidelines on COVID-19;
➢ Provision of sanitisers and appropriate PPEs to all workers (such as facemasks, gloves; etc.);
➢ Reduce occupancy for vehicles based on FRSC approved seating arrangements per vehicle: maximum of 9 passengers for 13-seater bus, 7 passengers for 10-seater bus, 5 passengers for 7seater bus, 3 passengers for 4-seater vehicles and no more than 2 passengers per row for luxury buses;
➢ Passengers are requested to report any public transport operator who fails to comply with these guidelines to the nearest FRSC command nearest to them or call 0800CALLFRSC or 122 toll free line;
➢ Mobile courts will be available to enforce compliance;
➢ Non-medical facemasks to be worn by driver and passengers at all times;
➢ Temperature checks at point of entry and departure; and
➢ Handwashing facilities at bus parks, along with physical distancing.
Intra-State Travel ▪ Ensure provision of hand sanitisers and appropriate PPEs to all workers (such as facemasks, gloves; etc.);
▪ Reduce occupancy to half for buses (50% of usual occupancy) and 3 passengers for taxis;
▪ Carry out temperature checks at point of entry and departure; and
▪ Provide handwashing facilities at bus parks, along with physical distancing.
INDUSTRY & LABOUR
ASPECT RECOMMENDATION
Working Hours ▪ Maintain normal working hours based on curfew arrangements; and
▪ Offices to maintain working at 75% capacity in offices, while maintaining 2m physical distancing.
Banks and other
Financial Institutions ▪ Banks to operate normal working hours;
▪ Ensure provision of sanitisers and appropriate PPE to all workers;
▪ Limit number of customers to 50% occupancy to allow physical distancing;
▪ Limit workers to 75% or less to allow physical distancing;
▪ Banking operations should accommodate the elderly, people living with disabilities and customers who do not have access to internet services;
▪ Mandatory use of non-medical facemask;
▪ Encourage online banking and provide services online;
▪ Temperature checks; and
▪ Ensure ATMs are well managed and cleaned regularly.
Government offices/ other corporate offices ▪ To work normal official hours from Monday-Friday;
▪ Ensure provision of sanitisers and appropriate PPEs to all workers;
▪ Mandatory use of non-medical face mask;
▪ Ensure physical distancing measures including seating arrangements for staff and visitors;
▪ Encourage work at home policy for civil/public servants below GL.12, with only essential staff of GL.12 and above allowed to come to work; and ▪ Temperature checks on arrival.
Manufacturing Industries ▪ Ensure provision of hand sanitisers and appropriate PPE to all workers;
▪ Limit number of workers to allow physical distancing; ▪ Mandatory use of non-medical face mask; and ▪ Conduct temperature checks.
Personalised Services ▪ Mechanics, artisans, hair salons, etc. who own their workshop/workstations and can clearly adhere to nonpharmaceutical interventions are permitted to operate;
▪ Ensure wearing of face mask when selling goods or providing services;
▪ Ensure provision of sanitisers and appropriate PPEs to all workers;
▪ Limit number of workers and customers to allow physical distancing; and
▪ State and Local Government Authorities working with the Unions/Associations shall monitor and ensure compliance.
Supermarkets ▪ Ensure provision of sanitiser to all customers;
▪ Limit number of customers and staff to allow physical distancing;
▪ Use non-medical face mask; and ▪ Temperature checks.
Markets ▪ Allocate day and time for opening of shops based on arrangements by local authorities;
▪ Observe all mandatory non-pharmaceutical interventions:
− Observe physical distancing;
− Ensure supply of running water and soap/alcohol sanitizer;
− Temperature checks at all entrances and by shop/stall owners;
− Use of face masks always;
− Maintenance of environmental hygiene in the market; and
− Ensure presence of health officers at abattoirs.
Hotels, Restaurants and Eateries ▪ Hotels to remain open but must observe all mandatory non-pharmaceutical interventions; and
▪ Restaurants to maintain the take-away/delivery system until further notice.
Bars, Gyms, Cinemas,
Event centres and Night
Clubs ▪ Closed until further evaluation
Agriculture ▪ Farmers to adhere to physical distancing on site;
▪ Ensure provision of cleaning stations at all points of entry;
▪ Observe all mandatory non-pharmaceutical interventions:
− Observe physical distancing;
− Ensure supply of running water and soap/alcohol
sanitizer;
− Temperature checks; and
− Use of face masks always.
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) ▪ NYSC to review planning ahead of resumption in future phases
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
ASPECT RECOMMENDATION
Day-care and Primary Schools ▪ All day-cares and schools to remain closed till further evaluation;
▪ Schools are encouraged to continue with e-learning and virtual teaching; and
▪ While primary schools must remain closed, registered pupils may proceed to take the National Common Entrance Examination as soon as is feasible provided there is compliance with issued non-pharmaceutical guidelines.
Secondary and
Tertiary Institutions ▪ All schools to remain closed till further evaluation;
▪ Arrangements to be made for exiting (graduating) students, in their final years, to resume and partake in exams in line with guidelines issued by the Federal Ministry of Education;
▪ All schools must comply with the six recommended steps and required measures issued by the Federal Ministry of Education before an institution is reopened in the timeline to be provided;
▪ Teachers may resume work as they are considered to be essential staff; and
▪ Schools are encouraged to continue with e-learning and virtual teaching.
Churches and Mosques ▪ Restricted opening subject to the protocols agreed by respective State Governments and FCT;
▪ Observe all mandatory non-pharmaceutical interventions:
– Observe physical distancing;
– Ensure supply of running water and soap/alcohol sanitizer;
– Temperature checks at all entrances;
– Use of face masks always; and
– Maintenance of environmental hygiene;
Recreational Parks/ Communal Sports ▪ Restriction is removed on outdoor communal (noncontact) sports and use of recreational parks for supervised physical exercise. This includes lawn tennis, table-tennis, squash, badminton, cycling, athletics, golf, polo, para-athletics, cricket, etc.
Visiting Hospitalised Patients ▪ Limited to immediate family
Funerals and weddings ▪
▪ Limited to 20 people including close family members; All attendees must wash or sanitize their hands before and after attendance; and
▪ Physical distancing must be adhered to for all attendees.
-Signed-
Boss Mustapha
Secretary to the Government of the Federation/
Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19