Federal government has relax Coronavirus restrictions on places of worship from Tuesday, chairman of the presidential task force for Covid-19 said.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country where Christianity and Islam are widely practised, has recorded 10,162 confirmed cases and 287 deaths.

Mr Boss Mustapha, chairman of Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, also said a lockdown in the northern city of Kano would be eased, one of a number of changes over four weeks from Tuesday.

“Nigeria has not reached the peak of confirmed cases,” Mustapha told reporters.

Another official said the aviation industry had been asked to prepare for the possible resumption of domestic flights from June 21. He added that a national curfew would be shortened to 10 p.m.-4 a.m. from Tuesday, from the current 8 p.m.-6 a.m. order.

Nigeria’s financial sector will also be able to resume normal working hours, said Mr Sani Aliyu, national coordinator of the task force.

Other curbs remain in place, such as a ban on interstate travel, with a few exceptions, such as for essential workers. And face masks must still be worn in public.

Below is a summary of FG’s decision on lockdown:

1. Nationwide curfew remains in place, timing now 10pm—4am.

2. Full opening of financial sector - normal working hours

3. Restricted opening of places of worship, (regular church & mosque services ONLY), to be based on State government protocols.

4. Interstate travel remains prohibited except for goods and essential travels.

5. Gathering of more than 20 persons remains prohibited; outside of workplaces and religious services.

6. Aviation Industry requested to start developing protocols for domestic flights to possibly resume from June 21

1. Hotels may reopen
2. Restaurants outside of hotels must remain closed for eat-in.
3. Bars, gyms, cinemas, nightclubs, parks closed until further evaluation.
4. All schools to remain closed until further evaluation
5. Offices maintain 2m physical distancing + 75% max capacity.

With additional reporting from Reuters