Face masks in public areas are now optional, according to the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, but the ultimate easing of regulations will be decided after Easter.
Dr Muktar Muhammed, Head of the Technical Secretariat and Secretary of the PSC on COVID-19, informed reporters of this.
Recall, on Wednesday, News Central reported that Ghana announced that the use of face masks was no longer mandatory.
The number of daily COVID-19 cases in Nigeria has continued to decline.
In addition, the PSC said that it would no longer require verification of PCR tests from fully vaccinated travellers.
Muhammed said; “We are easing up restrictions, but it’s important we do so responsibly.
“Last week, we suspended the limit placed on public gatherings, curfews and other social measures.
“The use of face masks in open spaces is now discretionary.
“We shall not hesitate to remove all mandates once the disease is no longer of public health consequence. We are aware that cases are rising in the Western Pacific and Eastern Europe. The US just mandated a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine for adults older than 50. We fear a reversal of the pandemic situation, where largely unvaccinated poor countries will be made to bear the burden, because the West has developed very high immunity through large scale vaccination.
“Our biggest fear now is the upcoming Easter holidays. If we are able to cross and the cases continue to go down with no significant increase in hospitalisation and death, then certainly, we will lower down our level of alertness and relax most of the measures.
“We are working with data and algorithms to determine our line of action. Everything depends on what happens next. We learn from other countries, but we don’t have to necessarily copy what they are doing. Every country should evaluate its risk and take responsibility.”
Meanwhile, according to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, a total of 12,139,797 people in Nigeria have been fully vaccinated, with 18,942,020 people partially vaccinated.
The NPHCDA announced that COVID-19 vaccinations from Moderna, Astrazeneca, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson were available for anybody who wanted to be vaccinated.
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