REMARKS BY THE SGF,CHAIRMAN PTF COVID-19 BOSS MUSTAPHA AT THE NATIONAL BRIEFING OF WEDNESDAY, 1ST APRIL, 2020

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Protocol

Gentlemen of the Press

I welcome you to this daily National Briefing meant to update you on developments and actions under taken by the PTF on COVID-19. The Minister of Health and the DG NCDC will update you on the operations side of our national response and give you the numbers as at today. Other Ministers shall also be called upon if and when the need arises to update you under our Non-Pharmaceutical Response.

2. You will recall that Mr. President in his National broadcast announced a number of restrictions particularly in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja. You will also recall that the PTF met with Security Chiefs to review the Status of Implementation as it affects compliance and enforcement.

3. We have received situation reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Inter-State traffic across the Country as at Tuesday, 31st March, 2020. Indications are that there was a reasonable level of compliance with the Presidential directive which has led to great reduction of traffic on major highways. We have however received reports of challenges arising from the enforcement of the Presidential directives by security agents generally and in States where Governors have also imposed their own measures.

4. As we continue to dialogue to remove the bottlenecks, I am pleased to inform you that the PTF has developed an Implementation Guide and Protocols for the COVID-19 Lockdown Policy. This document will be widely circulated to all security agencies and will be discussed with sub-national entities for the purpose of building synergy in the fight against the virus.

5. In the course of this briefing, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps will bring you details of the nationwide traffic situation while the National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 will provide the details on the guidelines and protocols for the Lockdown.

6. I however assure you that these guidelines and protocols will be published in the national dailies and broadcast on the News networks for more awareness.

7. I shall now yield the podium to the Hon. Minister of Health to provide his daily update.

8. I thank you for your kind attention.