This took the national tally to 25,133, a new record.
1. FG lifts ban on interstate travel, approves reopening of schools
The federal government has lifted the ban on interstate travel and also approved the reopening of schools for graduating classes.
Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation, broke the news at the presidential task force briefing on Monday.
He said students in primary six, Junior Secondary School 3 and Senior Secondary School 3 will be allowed to return to school.
Mustapha, who is the chairman of the task force, said President Muhammadu Buhari gave the approval when his team met with him earlier in the day.
“I am pleased to inform you that Mr. President has carefully considered the 5th Interim Report of the PTF and has accordingly approved that, with the exception of some modifications to be expatiated upon later, the Phase Two of the eased lockdown be extended by another four weeks with effect from Tuesday, June 30, 2020 through Midnight of Monday, 27 July, 2020,” he said.
Specifically, however, the following measures shall either remain in place or come into effect.
“Maintaining the current phase of the national response, for another four weeks in line with modifications to be expatiated by the National Coordinator;
“Permission of movement across State borders only outside curfew hours with effect from 1st July, 2020
“Enforcement of laws around non-pharmaceutical interventions by States, in particular, the use of face masks in public places
2. Swine flu with ‘human pandemic potential’ found in China
Chinese pigs are frequently becoming infected with a strain of influenza that has the potential to jump to humans, according to infectious disease researchers
Commenting on the development, Robert Webster, an influenza investigator who recently retired from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, US, said it is a “guessing game” as to whether this strain will mutate to readily transmit between humans.
“We just do not know a pandemic is going to occur until the damn thing occurs. China has the largest pig population in the world. Will this one do it? God knows,” an online Scientist magazine quoted Webster as saying
In a report, BBC said researchers are concerned that the flu could mutate further so that it can spread easily from person to person, and trigger a global outbreak.
The world is yet to recover from the coronavirus pandemic which has infected over 10 million people globally.
The last pandemic flu the world encountered – the swine flu outbreak of 2009 that began in Mexico – was less deadly than initially feared, largely because many older people had some immunity to it, probably because of its similarity to other flu viruses that had circulated years before.
Kin-Chow Chang, a professor who works at Nottingham University in the UK, told the BBC: “Right now we are distracted with coronavirus and rightly so. But we must not lose sight of potentially dangerous new viruses.
3. NASS, DisCos agree to halt tariff hike
The leadership of the National Assembly on Monday succeeded in persuading the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to defer the planned tariff hike till the first quarter of 2021.
The Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Ola Awoniyi, who disclosed this in a statement, said the NASS leadership would meet President Muhammadu Buhari later on the matter.
Many of the electricity distribution companies had announced last week that the implementation of the new tariff regime would begin on July 1.
The Ikeja Electricity had said in a statement issued by its Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Felix Ofulue, that the new tariffs, which are service reflective, are end-user rates to be paid for electricity based on the level of service.
4. Multichoice Nigeria gives update on BBNaija season 5
The much anticipated Big Brother Naija season 5 will kick-start on Sunday, 19 July.
This was announced by the show organizer, Multichoice Nigeria on Monday.
Earlier in May, the management of the reality show announced the opening for video submissions for the upcoming season 5 of the show.
However, the latest announcement follows the conclusion of the online auditions which recorded over 30,000 entries from BBNaija hopefuls.
BBNaija season 5 will be broadcast live on DStv channel 198 and GOtv Max and Jolli packages on channel 29, with the live eviction shows and weekly highlights aired on Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Urban and Africa Magic Family.
DStv viewers will also follow the drama this season with the DStv Now app on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
5. President Buhari appoints DCP Aliyu Musa as Chief Personal Security Officer
DCP Musa until his appointment was at the Nigerian Police Force Zone 5, Benin City, Edo state and hails from Niger State.
6. Sokoto, not one of poorest state in Nigeria, says Tambuwal
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State says his state is not one of the poorest in Nigeria, contrary to a current report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Tambuwal made this clarification in a statement in Sokoto on Monday by Malam Muhammad Bello, his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs.
The governor spoke while receiving a report entitled: “Sokoto Development Plan: 2020-2025”.
The April 2020 Nigerian Living Standards Survey (NLSS) report released by the NBS covering the year 2019, indicated that nine of top 10 poorest states in Nigeria are from the northern region, listing Sokoto, Taraba and Jigawa as among the poorest.
7. Here are a few things you need to know about this phase
1.The ban on interstate travel has now been lifted. This means that from Wednesday, July 1, 2020, you are allowed to travel across Nigeria outside curfew hours of 4am to 10pm. Please note that the ban persists within curfew hours.
2. Drivers have been directed to only fill 50% of their vehicles' capacity during travels.
3.President Buhari has approved the reopening of schools for students in graduating classes, in order to allow them prepare for examinations. The classes are Primary 6, JSS3 and SSS3.
4.Tertiary schools and other school classes outside of those mentioned above will remain closed. Daycare centers are to remain shut as well.
5.Domestic aviation services can now commence “as soon as practicable, in line with existing international and local guidelines on COVID-19." This means local flights are back in business.
6.Phase 2 of 'Eased Lockdown' phase has been extended for another 4 weeks (June 30-July 27). That means on July 27, we'd know what comes next.
7.Parks, gyms, cinemas, event centres and nightclubs remain closed, according to the PTF's national coordinator, Sani Aliyu.
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