Nigeria begins economy reopening in three phases

The Presidential Task Force on the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has released sector-specific guidelines to reopen the nation’s economy within six weeks staggered in three phases.

The chairman of the task force and Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, who announced the guidelines during its briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, outlined the plan to reopen the economy in three phases of two weeks each.

According to him, the idea of a phased reopening was to reduce the pains of socioeconomic disruptions and strengthen the response to the disease outbreak.

He said: “In line with the president’s directive in paragraphs 38-41 of his broadcast, the PTF has developed sector-specific guidelines. The gradual reopening of the economy will span a total of six weeks broken into three tranches of two weeks each.

“This phased strategy is designed to reduce the pains of socioeconomic disruptions while strengthening our public health response which would ultimately reduce the recovery of our economy and provide succour to the poor and vulnerable.

“To underscore the collaborative efforts with sub-national levels of government, they are encouraged to provide leadership in engaging relevant associations responsible for various sectors e.g market associations and transport unions for orderly and effective implementation.

“Similarly, I want to emphasise the need for the security agencies to strictly enforce these new measures that have been put in place.

“Following the pronouncement of the president, it has become necessary to provide initial clarifications for Nigerians on some of the new measures such as the overnight curfew, inter-state travels and related matters.”

According to the guidelines, the overnight curfew is applicable nationwide from 8.00 pm to 06.00 am daily, effective Monday, 4th of May, 2020; inter-state travels are banned except for the movement of goods, agro-products, petroleum products, essential services such as directed by the president.

The management of various offices, premises and businesses that will be gradually reopened are mandated to ensure that the following preparatory steps are taken: fumigation and decontamination, arrangement made for physical distancing; and provision of hand sanitizers and handwashing facilities.

Others are that application of the policy on mandatory use of face masks; provision of thermometers for temperature checks; consideration must be given to persons living with disabilities while making all these arrangements.

The guidelines also, require that increased communication with staff on COVID-19 and measures put in place; and any other measure that may be peculiar for the organisations and/or sector.