By Dipo Olowookere
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday announced the further extension of lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun State by one week.
In a nationwide broadcast this night, Mr Buhari said this decision was “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.”
He said during the discussions with the key stakeholders, ways factories, markets, traders and transporters can continue to function while at the same time adhering to NCDC guidelines on hygiene and social distancing were assessed.
In addition, ways children can continue to learn without compromising their health were looked into as well as how farmers can safely plant and harvest in this rainy season to ensure food security is not compromised.
“We also discussed how to safely transport food items from rural production areas to industrial processing zones and ultimately, to the key consumption centres,” he said.
The President said based on these, “I have approved a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, May 4, 2020.”
“However, this will be followed strictly with aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures while allowing the restoration of some economic and business activities in certain sectors.
“Furthermore, new nationwide measures are to be introduced as follows;
“There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all movements will be prohibited during this period except for essential services;
“There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travel until further notice;
“Partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed for the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers; and
“We will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and personal hygiene. Furthermore, the restrictions on social and religious gatherings shall remain in place. State Governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for citizens.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States shall remain in place until these new ones come into effect on Monday, May 4, 2020,” he declared.
