Major interstate transport companies in Lagos on Monday, heaved sigh of relief as the Federal Government through the coordinator of the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19, Sani Aliyu announced the resumption of their services nationwide effective Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
In several telephone interviews with interstate bus operators in Lagos, they said the long period of the lockdown has badly affected their businesses and even family lives as means of livelihood was put on hold.
They thanked the federal government and assured that they will maintain social distancing in loading which according to them, may result in a sharp hike in all interstate fares.
Aliyu further revealed that “The aviation industry is allowed to resume domestic flights as soon as practicable in line with existing international and local guidelines on COVID-19,” even as the chairman of the presidential task force on COVID-19 Boss Mustapha said that President Muhammadu Buhari has also approved the extension of the phased lockdown for four weeks.
“Mr. President has carefully considered and approved that with the exception of some modifications, Phase 2 of the Eased Lockdown will be extended for another 4 weeks : 30 June – 27 July 2020,” Mustapha said.
Apart from the reopening of airports for local flights, reopening of schools for exiting students in secondary schools and the lift of ban on interstate travels, Mustapha said all other measures are in place.
According to him, nationwide curfew from 10pm to 4am is still intact while the use of face masks in public places is still mandatory.
Also maintained is the 75 per cent filled while banks retain its full working hours.