Nigeria’s Federal Government has lifted the restrictions on attendance for social gatherings and the curfew on midnight movements it announced two years ago to curb the spread of COVID-19.
It could be understood that the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, set up by the government in early 2020, had made known a review of the country’s response to the pandemic in a statement dated April 2, 2022.
According to the statement, formal restrictions on movement within the country as the nationwide curfew imposed from 12 midnight to 4 am has been lifted.
According to the committee the social restriction recommendations were revised in line with the three established thematic areas – movement, industry and labour, as well as community activities.
The Committee explained that the decision followed the reduced risk of importation of new variants and the availability of vaccines and the increasing number of people vaccinated in Nigeria and globally.
It stated that the safety protocols provide a baseline from which state governments could further build to strengthen their responses based on their local circumstances.
The PSC, however, advised states to “continue to consider them as the minimum guidelines required to ensure an acceptable level of epidemic control nationwide.”
It added that the advisory limiting Nigerians to essential travels only has been lifted, although citizens need to refrain from non-essential movement and comply with non-pharmaceutical interventions guidelines such as the mandatory use of face mask or facial coverings in public, given the risks involved.
Also, the PSC said there are “no limitation on air travels – both domestic and international flights; both international and domestic travellers must abide by all existing protocols, including the use of face mask while onboard and taking personal precaution measures; and all arriving international passengers must register with the Nigeria International Travel Portal (https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng) and abide by the travel guidelines.
“No limitations on inter or intra-state travel; all vendors and service providers must abide by stated stipulations from the Federal Ministry of Transportation; all passengers and commuters must wear face masks once on board, as well as continue to observe personal precautionary measures.”
In the area of industry and labour, the government recommended virtual meetings by offices for the private sector and advised against large meetings. It asked operators to decongest offices and ensure they were well-ventilated.
According to it, normal work by all staff should resume in all offices while encouraging measures to reduce congestion such as working from home or on-and-off days.
The PSC also suggested mandatory use of face masks in closed offices and recommended safety protocol for all persons and discretionary use of appropriate measures.
It asked operators to encourage the use of approved Ag-Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) as recommended in the Guidance for the Use of Approved COVID-19 Ag-RDTs in Nigeria.
