The Federal Government Monday, partially relaxed the restrictions on religious activities in the country imposed about three months ago following the outbreak of COVID-19.

The government has also reviewed the national curfew introduced as part of measures to stem the spread of the virus while retaining the ban placed on interstate travels until further notice.

Under the new phase in the easing of the lockdown, which takes effect June 2, 2020, religious gatherings with not more than 20 persons would be allowed, among others while the former 6am-8pm curfew has been reviewed to 4am-10pm. These new measures will remain in place for four weeks.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Boss Mustafa, who made the disclosure during the daily briefing, noted that in arriving at these new guidelines, issues of health and safety of the people as well as their wellbeing were duly taken into consideration.

He also announced that in line with thepromise of the government to review earlier restrictions after two weeks, the PTF announced that the interstate travel ban will remain effective, with exemptions for goods and essential travels only.

“From Tuesday, June 2, the nationwide curfew earlier put at 8pm to 6am will be reduced to 10pm to 4am”, Mustafa also said.

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of the PTF, Sani Aliyu, who further explained how the second phase of the gradual easing of lockdown will be implemented, also announced that banks will commence normal banking operation effective tomorrow.

Aliyu who spoke at a daily briefing of the task force on Monday said the new guidelines will be effective from Tuesday, June 2.

“Just to clarify, the purpose of the curfew is to limit social interactions and, therefore, reduce the risk of transmission of the virus,” he said.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who has been directed to work out the protocol for the resumption of domestic flights, announced that local flights will resume in the country June 21,

It was further gathered that no date has been fixed for the resumption of schools as protocols have not yet been concluded for them to resume.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had on April 27 announced the gradual easing of a five-week lockdown imposed on Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja.