- President Buhari Eases Lagos, Ogun and FCT Lockdown
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday has approved gradual easing of lockdown measures in the most affected states.
The president said “We assessed how our factories, markets, traders and transporters can continue to function while at the same time adhering to NCDC guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.
“Based on the above and in line with the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the various Federal Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria Governors Forum, I have approved a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020,” Buhari stated.
The President, however, said the gradual easing of the lockdown will be followed by a strict and aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures to keep COVID-19 under control while simultaneously allowing the restoration of certain business activities.
In the same vein, the president introduced new nationwide measures to contain further spread of the virus despite the phase by phase easing strategy.
The new nationwide measures are as follow;
a. There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all movements will be prohibited during this period except for essential services;
b. There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travel until further notice;
c. Partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed for the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers; and
d. We will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and personal hygiene.
Also, the restrictions on social and religious gatherings are to remain in place, according to the president. Therefore, “State Governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for citizens.”