* Hints at relaxing restrictions after Easter
The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has declared that wearing of face masks in public places is now optional, while the decision on the final relaxation of measures will be taken after Easter.
The Head of the Technical Secretariat, who also doubles as the Secretary of the PSC on COVID-19, Dr Muktar Muhammed, disclosed this during a media interview in Abuja.
Countries around the world have started relaxing COVID-19 measures.
Recently, Ghana announced that the use of face masks is no longer mandatory.
Nigeria has continued to witness a drop in the number of daily COVID-19 cases.
The PSC also announced that it would stop demanding proof of PCR tests from fully vaccinated travellers.
Muhammed said: “We are easing up restrictions, but it’s important we do so responsibly.
“Our biggest fear now is the upcoming Easter holidays. If we are able to cross and the cases continue to go down with no significant increase in hospitalisation and death, then certainly, we will lower down our level of alertness and relax most of the measures.
“We are working with data and algorithms to determine our line of action. Everything depends on what happens next. We learn from other countries, but we don’t have to necessarily copy what they are doing. Every country should evaluate its risk and take responsibility.”