President Buhari ‘Lifts COVID-19 Lockdown’ In Lagos, Abuja, Ogun

President Muhammadu Buhari has partially lifted the COVID-19 lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja over the outbreak of coronavirus in Nigeria.

Newsone Nigeria reports that President Buhari partially lifted the stoppage of all movements in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in a presidential broadcast on Monday evening, April 27.

The Nigeran leader, however, said during the national broadcast that he has “approved for a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Saturday, 2nd May 2020 at 9 am.”

“Based on the above and in line with the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID nineteen, the various Federal Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria Governors Forum, I have approved for a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Saturday, 2nd May 2020 at 9 am,” the President said.

The President continued: “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.

“The highlights of the new nationwide measures are as follows;
a. Selected businesses and offices can open from 9am to 6pm;
b. There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all movements are will be prohibited during this period except essential services;
c. There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travels until further notice;
d. There will be Ppartial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed to allowfor the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers; and
e. 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 of on social and religious gathers 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 & Ogun States shall subsist remain in place until these new ones come into effect on Saturday, 2nd May 2020 at 9am.

“The Presidential Task Force shall provide sector specific details and timing guidelines to allow for preparations by Governments, businesses and institutions,” the President said.

This burgeoning online news platform understands that the President’s decision is coming a day after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed 91 new COVID-19 cases in a tweet on the micro-blogging site, Twitter on Sunday evening, April 26.