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Guidelines and Recommendations: Reopening the Nigerian Economy

Nigeria Economy	3497 VIEWS
Nigeria Economy
3497 VIEWS

Thursday, April 30, 2020 / 03:23 PM / by FGN / Header Image Credit: FG

Proposed Phase Approach

It is proposed that the Nigerian economy is gradually reopened in phases to give room for improvement in economic activities.
The phase wise approach to reopening provides the advantage of flexibility and allows a rapid and efficient response to any change in the situation.
Governors are charged with monitoring the implementation of the reopening at the state level.
Implementable on an LGA by LGA basis within the state at Governor's discretion.
Relevant Ministers will be charged with the responsibility of tracking and monitoring the progress in the selected sectors, while the NCDC will monitor health related issues.
Each phase is proposed for an initial 2 week period with progression on to the next phase subject to review of progress.
The NCDC guidelines for interaction must be followed through all the phases to ensure continued safety and mitigate the risk of a resurgence

Implementation Plan and Gating Criteria

The decision on progression to a subsequent phase would be subject to evaluation by the State and Federal government along with guidance from the NCDC. Decisions would be made by evaluating data on active cases and the progress in the key sectors within the state. Following the 2 week period, a decision would be made whether to tighten the lockdown protocol, remain at the current phase or move on to the next phase.

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Core State Preparedness Responsibilites

Testing And Contact Tracing

Improve testing capabilities and avenues to allow time efficient testing of symptomatic individuals.
Put in place responsive systems for tracing and informing contacts of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases. Avenue should be made for immediate testing and implementation of isolation and/or quarantine procedure for these primary contacts.

Healthcare System Capacity

Ensure relevant healthcare facilities within the state have the requisite facilities and guidance needed to tackle the pandemic.
Ensure case loads are adequately distributed across the healthcare facilities in the state to mitigate incidence of over-burden of any individual facility.

Plans

Provide protection for healthcare workers and workers in other critical sectors such as agriculture and construction.
Ensure that palliatives are efficiently distributed across the state, catering to the most vulnerable individuals first.
Ensure citizenry in the state remain informed on and adhere to NCDC guidelines.
Ensure the required additional attention is provided to the most vulnerable individuals. These are individuals with above the age of 50 as well as individuals with underlying health conditions.
Ensure that all individuals within the state adhere to the curfew and other lockdown parameters.

Guidelines Across All Phases

General NCDC Guidelines

Regularly and thoroughly wash hands with soap under running water or use alcohol-based sanitisers if water is not available.
Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose properly into a dustbin.
Maintain at least 2 metres distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Do not spread fake news. Rely on the NCDC official channels for information on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other General Guidelines

The following timelines have been specified: Curfew 8.00pm - 6.00am and opening times for selected office opening times 9.00am - 2.00pm.
People who are 50 years and above and/or have a history of underlying health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, cancer and tuberculosis should stay at home.
Non-essential interstate movement is prohibited.
All social, religious or public gatherings are prohibited.

Guidelines On Reopening the Nigerian Economy

Phase One

Sector-Specific Guidelines

Commencement date: Monday, 4th May, 2020

Phase Two

Sector-Specific Guidelines

Commencement date: To Be Decided 2 Weeks from the 4th of May, 2020

Phase two will see a further loosening of restriction on the sectors that were reopened in phase one.
It will also see the reopening of additional sectors that remained closed in phase one. The specific sectors to be opened will be subject to decision by the state and federal governments in conjunction with the NCDC.
Phase two will see a reduction of the travel restrictions active in phase one subject to NCDC guidelines and advice.
Implementation of the second phase is still under the state government to allow tailored implementation at a state by state level.
A more detailed guidelines for phase two would be produced after the evaluation of the impact of the first phase.