Eased Lockdown: PTF Ratifies Gradual Reopening of International Air Flights in Weeks

Share the News
Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

The Boss Mustapha led Presidential Task Force (PTF), on COVID-19 has signed off on gradual reopening of international air flights and train services across Nigeria in weeks, and not months.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that this formed part of the concessions agreed upon at the end of the second extension of the second phase of eased lockdown.

This was announced by Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), while addressing the press at the daily briefing of the PTF on Thursday in Abuja.

He said, “It’s important to ensure that restrictions are not completely relaxed in order to control transmission.

“It is also important that at this Community Transmission Phase of the pandemic sub-national governments step up to take more responsibilities by owning the response.

“To sustain gains already made, therefore, the PTF recommended to the President the retention of the current phase of the response with minor changes to address economic, socio-political and health concerns.

“It is, however, important to inform you that the major changes being proposed are aimed at achieving the following:

“Gradual re-opening of international air flights within established parameters;

“Re-opening of rail transportation within established parameters”.

Mustapha also approved the resumption of exit classes ahead of examinations, civil servants from Grade Level 12 are equally permitted to resume work and also opening of recreational parks for supervised exercises.

In his address, Dr Sani Aliyu, Coordinator of PTF, said the aviation ministry had been communicated to commence process of reopening international flights.

Aliyu also noted that one of the new requirements would be to ensure that international passengers arrived three hours before departure to ensure proper checks before takeoff.

He further said the resumption of international flights would begin in weeks and not months if all requirements from the aviation sector were met.

Responding to a question form the media, Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation stated that the aviation sector was ready to open any moment.

Source: Guardian 

This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.

The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *