The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , has approved the extension of the current phase of the national response to COVID- 19 by another four weeks .

The implication is that all the guidelines put in place to curtail further spread of the virus under the second phase of the eased lockdown which started on June 1 will remain in force with slight modifications to address the economic , socio- political and health concerns as contained in the latest report by the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 .

The Chairman of the task force , who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Boss Mustapha , disclosed this at the briefing of the task force in Abuja .

Within the next four weeks , Mustapha said state governments and authorities of the Federal Capital Territory would be mandated to enforce non – pharmaceutical measures and intensify measures such as contract tracing .

The SGF said , “ After due consideration of the recommendations , Mr President approved the following : maintaining the current phase of the national response to COVID- 19 for another four weeks in line with the modifications reflected in the report .

“ He approved the partnering states and local governments to improve community sensitisation and engagement to the COVID- 19 response ; and mandating state authorities and the FCT to enforce non – pharmaceutical guidelines, primarily the use of face masks in public appearance and places .

“ The President approved that state governments should be encouraged to collaborate with local government authorities to intensify necessary measures such as contact tracing , grass – roots mobilisation and risk communication ; and strengthening of collaboration with other mandate groups at federal /state levels to harmonise the country ’ s COVID- 19 response , on the short, medium and long – term basis. ”