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COVID-19: FG Extends PTF Tenure To December

The Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 (PTF) tenure, which is meant to elapse on September 17, has been extended by President Muhammadu Buhari to December this year.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the PTF on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha.

He said that the extension was necessary to sustain the robust multi-sectoral response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The PTF today submitted its 7th Interim Report to Mr President for his consideration and approval.

“The main thrust of the recommendation is that Nigeria advances to the third phase of eased restrictions with further amendments, to address economic, socio-political and health concerns. This will last till a time when the epidemic is sufficiently controlled in Nigeria,” Boss Mustapha stated.

“Accordingly, Mr President has considered and approved the following: Transition into the Third Phase of the National Response to COVID-19 for a period of four weeks with effect from 12.01 am on Friday 4th September 2020 in line with amendments to address economic, socio-political and health considerations reflected in the implementation guidelines.

“Mr. President has similarly considered the fact that the six-month mandate of the PTF will expire this month and has therefore extended it till the end of December 2020.

“The objective is to: Sustain a robust multi-sectoral national response; Ensure that we successfully navigate the community spread stage of the pandemic; strengthen our health system and other socio-economic infrastructures to enable them to meet our national aspirations.

Mr Mustapha also noted that the PTF is in a haste to reopen schools, especially tertiary institutions.