BREAKING: Nigeria announces partial school reopening, lifts ban on interstate, air travels

Economy activities continue to reopen in Nigeria after 120 weeks of lockdown over Coronavirus pandemic as government now moved to phase three of the esse of the restrictions which allows that, partially, schools can now resume while ban on interstate and air travels is now lifted.

This was as President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly approved the recommendations submitted to him on Monday June 29, 2020 by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19.

By partial reopening of schools, it means students who are writing their final examinations such as primary 6, JSS 3 and SSS 3 can now resume to enable them prepare ahead of time.

Aside students writing final examinations, all schools including tertiary institutions remain closed until further evaluation, according to the PTF.

The interstate lockdown lifted takes effect from July 1, 2020 only outside curfew hours of 10pm to 4am.

On aviation sector reopening, the Presidential Task Force Monday said domestic flight operations can now resume after a satisfactory assessment of the industry’s readiness for restart.

The National Coordinator, PTF , Dr. Sani Aliyu who announced the lifting of the ban on domestic flight operations in the country, said domestic operations are allowed to “open as soon as practicable but in line with existing international and local guidelines on COVID-19”.

Dr. Aliyu said passengers must observe all the health protocols put in place by the airport authority. “You must observe the social distance, wear a face mask, wash your hands, sanitize it, your luggage must be disinfected, temperature taking, and so on,” he said.

He also appealed to passengers to adhere strictly to the protocols for their good and the good of others.

While answering the question on whether there will be an increase in airfares Chairman of the PTF and the SGF, Boss Mustapha said with the reality on the ground, passengers should expect a review in airfares and other services at the airports.

Mustapha also said that with the increase in the Passenger service charge, PSC, by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, by 100% it was clear that charges for services would no longer be the same including that of other government aviation agencies and private businesses in the industry. He added that with such a review, less should not be expected from the airlines.

“Because that is the nature of what the COVID-19 has thrust on the people and all over the world,” he said.