The Federal Government has said being conscious of the significant contributions of air travels to economic growth, it has began plans to push for a safe resumption of international flights.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha, made the disclosure at Thursday’s briefing in Abuja.

He explained that the Aviation sector has been working assiduously to develop the protocols for the resumption of international air services.

The SGF added that aviation regulators are to engage with other stakeholders to facilitate an integrated and seamless resumption of international flights.

Mustapha said: “This PTF remains conscious of the significant contributions of air travels to economic growth and shall continue to push for a safe resumption. The next phase is for aviation regulators to engage with other stakeholders to facilitate an integrated and seamless resumption of international flights. I plead with all Nigerians to await authentic information from the aviation authorities and discountenance fake news and speculation on dates.”

He said high profile persons testing positive to the virus confirms its no respecter of persons.

“For the first time since the PTF commenced the regular briefing, we had to postpone the briefing for Monday 20th July, 2020. On Sunday 19th July, 2020, the dangers that our frontline workers face on a daily basis was forcefully brought to our consciousness, when the tweet from the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs who is a member of the PTF, went viral. That singular piece of information in the public space is sufficient proof to Nigerians that the virus is real and does not discriminate.”

He assured that the regular testing of members of the PTF for COVID-19 would be sustained, adding “We will however not lower our guards for any reason because the nation cannot afford to shut down its response.”

The SGF said the PTF might consider restructuring the mode of delivering some of its activities, relying more on technology, to minimize the risks associated with unavoidable physical contacts.

He said: “Since the last time we briefed the nation, global and national developments continue to yield statistics that point at the fact that the virus is still very potent and spreading faster than human efforts can speed to stop it. WHO statistics show that India has joined the United States of America and Brazil in the category of countries that have recorded over one million cases. Cumulatively, 15,403,120 cases have been recorded from 215 countries and territories.

“On the African continent, the cumulative total for Africa has risen to 773, 804 including 16,448 fatalities. Nigeria, with 38,344 cases account for about 5% of the Africa’s numbers. Similarly, Nigeria, with 813 deaths accounts for 5% of fatalities in the continent.

“The message of hope is that the world continues to close its ranks in the search for a vaccine in a manner designed to guarantee rapid, fair, and equitable access worldwide. Back home, there has been a lot of debate on finding a local cure. “While this is a plausible expectation, the PTF, other relevant institutions of government and the private sector working with our partners shall pursue the path of research relentlessly. As we have often said, only a well-developed partnership will save humanity.”

Mustapha reiterated that, its the duty of Nigerians to change their behaviour and scale up their compliance with non-pharmaceutical measures. The best option is to totally avoid contracting the virus by staying safe.”

Mustapha also hinted that the task force will be submitting a set of recommendations at the end of the second week of eased lockdown.

He said: “As we approach the last five days to the end of this eased lock down phase, the PTF shall rigorously evaluate the developments on the basis of emerging data, evolving science, strengthened best practices and improvements in our Risk Communication Strategy. All these will help us form an opinion upon which the next set of recommendations to Mr. President will be based.

“We also have cause to begin to advise Nigerians on the upcoming Eid-El Kabir Festival. This naturally comes with lots of mass gatherings but we must not forget that the guidelines are still in existence and the virus is very potent. We urge all State Governments to ensure that guidelines are adhered to and citizens should not indulge in activities that would allow for the spread of the virus and lives are endangered. We are encouraged by State Governments that have announced ban on Sallah Festivities and hope it will be upheld and replicated by other States.

Source:https://www.sunnewsonline.com/covid-19-fg-begins-plans-to-resume-international-flights/


cc: lalasticlala, dominique, mynd4

How about resumption of schools and other economic activities?

It shows where our priorities lies as a nation....

They need to travel for check up, holidays etc but to engage students, church (mosque don't observe covid-19 guidelines) ,businesses Na war...

We shall overcome

Good so that I can travel immediately.

This has been long overdue, it's been 4 months, we have been successfully managing evacuation flights, so why cant we resume and limit the amount of flight per week, India with over a million cases resumed international flight this week, the federal government should open the international airspace, and subject those coming in to a 14 day quarantine or covid 19 test. They can't keep closing the economy when Nigeria makes a lot from the aviation industry...Most embassies aren't working cause of this, family members are stranded, foreign currency inflow has reduced, job losses... We should do the right thing for the good of all citizens.

goldenboyofpsy:
How about resumption of schools and other economic activities?

It shows where our priorities lies as a nation....

They need to travel for check up, holidays etc but to engage students, church (mosque don't observe covid-19 guidelines) ,businesses Na war...

We shall overcome

I swear. Everything has opened except schools. They don't even want to talk about school. Talk about using illiteracy as weapon against the masses.

I strongly blame ASUU and other education bodies. When doctors and others were lacking PPE and health hazards, they were releasing press statements and making public their alleged grievances. ASUU just dey house dey sleep while collecting salary. For their mind they have old men and women as lecturers prone to Covid-19 death, but they forget COVID-19 is everywhere in Nigeria and some who died didn't even to to school.
Instead of them to ensure safe reopening, washing tanks, face masks, social distancing, etc are in place, they instead choose to be at home and receive free salary for five months now. God punish all of una with covid-19 wherever you are for playing with one's future when you've secured yours.

flyingpig:
I swear. Everything has opened except schools. They don't even want to talk about school. Talk about using illiteracy as weapon against the masses.

Its embarrassing oo ASSU said till next year.. minister for edu saidi cancellation of Wace for Nigeria but other things less productive are allowed...

May God help us... Haaa no wonder we prefer BBnaija self to school..

It is easier to regulate, control and monitor adherence to safety guidelines in airports than in schools. I wonder what the basis for the comparison is.
Schools should remain closed for now till we are able to ensure certain adherence to safety protocol.

flyingpig:
I swear. Everything has opened except schools. They don't even want to talk about school. Talk about using illiteracy as weapon against the masses.

Can you compare the number of schools in the nooks and crannies of Nigeria to a handful of airports?

Even in the "saner climes" their schools are closed and they are all reviewing it.

There is nothing like illiteracy anywhere. Haba!

Ehiscotch:


Can you compare the number of schools in the nooks and crannies of Nigeria to a handful of airports?

Even in the "saner climes" their schools are closed and they are all reviewing it.

There is nothing like illiteracy anywhere. Haba!

Saner climes that have over 100k deaths in each of them? Compared to Nigeria that has just 800 deaths in five months, yet is even invisible deaths. They have a right to delay theirs due to the level of deaths running to over 100k.

Swear say the kids are not visiting one another without face mask. Ano ako.

Let's hope they resume by August, I am already tired, let them at least give us a date...


lalasticlala, dominique, mynd4 we need this on FP

flyingpig:
I swear. Everything has opened except schools. They don't even want to talk about school. Talk about using illiteracy as weapon against the masses.

Have you ever thought about the fact that there's no partial re opening of schools,...all schools have to open at the same time, while you can choose to open some airports to control the spread,....or is it when they start adding children to the list of death, that you'll understand that this is a critical issue,..
Also, you can't unlearn, what you've learnt, closing schools for now does not make you less intellectual than you are now...

Emmanuelosa:


Have you ever thought about the fact that there's no partial re opening of schools,...all schools have to open at the same time, while you can choose to open some airports to control the spread,....or is it when they start adding children to the list of death, that you'll understand that this is a critical issue,..
Also, you can't unlearn, what you've learnt, closing schools for now does not make you less intellectual than you are now...

People's lives are not moving forward and you're exposing these kids to all forms of dangers such as yahoo yahoo/cyber fraud, kidnapping and other shady deals just because of idleness. Don't talk about jobs cause there are no jobs. As far as children are regarded. The clamour is for university because they are all adults who have very high chances of surviving covid-19 infections. Primary school kids can be exempted because they are infants. More so, nobody is talking about full resumption, exit classes can write their WASSCE nationwide using all classes belong to their juniors even, as well as private halls, stadiums, open places under a canopy while observing social distancing. Etc. Look this thing is very feasible and realistic, safe ways can be charted out but the FG don't even want to consider thinking about it.

flyingpig:
People's lives are not moving forward and you're exposing these kids to all forms of dangers such as yahoo yahoo/cyber fraud, kidnapping and other shady deals just because of idleness. Don't talk about jobs cause there are no jobs. As far as children are regarded. The clamour is for university because they are all adults who have very high chances of surviving covid-19 infections. Primary school kids can be exempted because they are infants. More so, nobody is talking about full resumption, exit classes can write their WASSCE nationwide using all classes belong to their juniors even, as well as private halls, stadiums, open places under a canopy while observing social distancing. Etc. Look this thing is very feasible and realistic, safe ways can be charted out but the FG don't even want to consider thinking about it.

Just because they are at home they'd start Yahoo yahoo,...it's just baseless...so all those strikes we've been seeing before made the students start Yahoo,...

And the WASSCE, you're talking about,..it's not a bad idea,..but lets be realistic,..after writing it, then what would happen to the students, they'll just go home and apply for a university when the previous session is not even done,...,

And that's when you'd see most students blaming failure on covid-19,...some might even take drastic measures, owning to the fact that WASSCE is only done once in a year...

Think about it!!!

flyingpig:
People's lives are not moving forward and you're exposing these kids to all forms of dangers such as yahoo yahoo/cyber fraud, kidnapping and other shady deals just because of idleness. Don't talk about jobs cause there are no jobs. As far as children are regarded. The clamour is for university because they are all adults who have very high chances of surviving covid-19 infections. Primary school kids can be exempted because they are infants. More so, nobody is talking about full resumption, exit classes can write their WASSCE nationwide using all classes belong to their juniors even, as well as private halls, stadiums, open places under a canopy while observing social distancing. Etc. Look this thing is very feasible and realistic, safe ways can be charted out but the FG don't even want to consider thinking about it.

And also,...the expenses they'd need for school now, might affect some parents, which might even lead to drop outs...

Most people can't even afford feeding now,..not to talk of school expenses,..

I've seen people that got hit really hard during this pandemic,...so just calm down a little and let the economy settle a little...

.

Emmaak2 abeg comot ur number. U dey whatsapp?

Emmanuelosa:


And also,...the expenses they'd need for school now, might affect some parents, which might even lead to drop outs...

Most people can't even afford feeding now,..not to talk of school expenses,..

I've seen people that got hit really hard during this pandemic,...so just calm down a little and let the economy settle a little...

Unless that shaa. I feel this condition.

Emmanuelosa:


Just because they are at home they'd start Yahoo yahoo,...it's just baseless...so all those strikes we've been seeing before made the students start Yahoo,...

And the WASSCE, you're talking about,..it's not a bad idea,..but lets be realistic,..after writing it, then what would happen to the students, they'll just go home and apply for a university when the previous session is not even done,...,

And that's when you'd see most students blaming failure on covid-19,...some might even take drastic measures, owning to the fact that WASSCE is only done once in a year...

Think about it!!!

what is with you against school re-opening sef. Aside from the idea that parents and providers are not yet financially stable to bear the burden of resumption at the moment, there is absolutely no other tangible excuse not to reopen schools. If you're a lecturer please say so because I can't see any other legitimate reason why anyone who is not a lecturer will defend the government's stance against schools resumption.

flyingpig:
Emmaak2 abeg comot ur number. U dey whatsapp?

TEMPORARY OFF WHATSAPP

flyingpig:
what is with you against school re-opening sef. Aside from the idea that parents and providers are not yet financially stable to bear the burden of resumption at the moment, there is absolutely no other tangible excuse not to reopen schools. If you're a lecturer please say so because I can't see any other legitimate reason why anyone who is not a lecturer will defend the government's stance against schools resumption.

This is not a matter of support for the government,...let's support the right thing,

Emmanuelosa:


This is not a matter of support for the government,...let's support the right thing,

maybe If it's your own source of livelihood is delayed till January we would have traded positions while I defend and you offend. Enough.

This people are joker i still don't see any reason why the airport is not yet open.... Is very simple any person who want to travel should provide covid-19 test negative either going or coming in, every other countries have open even the countries with high case.

Samsideen1:
This people are joker i still don't see any reason why the airport is not yet open.... Is very simple any person who want to travel should provide covid-19 test negative either going or coming in, every other countries have open even the countries with high case.

Its very funny, they are confused