*imposes 8pm-6am curfew after lockdown
President Muhammadu Buhari in a broadcast to Nigerians on Monday night extended the Covid-19 lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States by an extra 14 days, as part of measures to check the spread of the Coronavirus disease in Nigeria.
He further ordered a nationwide curfew between 8pm and 6am daily after the lockdown.
This however, exempts Kano State where many people are also suspected to have died from the pandemic.
These measures were approved after considering recommendations from relevant experts and authorities on the impact of the four-week lockdown on the socioeconomic and health wellbeing of the nation and citizens, the president said.
He also noted that these were in line with the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, as well as 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.
The compulsory use of face masks and strict adherence to social distancing and other health protocols would be strengthened to go along with these measures, the President hinted.
He said: “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;
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. 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, 4th May 2020.
“The Presidential Task Force shall provide sector specific details to allow for preparations by Governments, businesses and institutions.
“In respect to the above guidelines, State Governors may choose to adapt and expand based on their unique circumstances provided they maintain alignment with the guidelines issued above.
“To support our businesses and traders, the monetary and fiscal authorities shall deploy all the necessary provisions needed for production to continue and thus, jobs restored.
“These revised guidelines will not apply to Kano State.
“With regards to Kano, I have directed the enforcement of a total lockdown for a period of two weeks effective immediately. The Federal Government shall deploy all the necessary human, material and technical resources to support the State in controlling and containing the pandemic and preventing the risk of further spread to neighbouring States.”
The President thanked all essential services providers at this period for helping curtail the spread of the deadly virus in Nigeria.
While assuring Nigerians that testing and treatment for Covid-19 will be intensified, the president equally thanked the State Governors for their own efforts to curtail the disease.
“Several new fully equipped treatment and isolation centres have been operationalised across the country thereby increasing bed capacity to about three thousand.
“I commend the State Governors for the activation of State-level Emergency Operation Centres, establishment of new treatment centres and the delivery of aggressive risk communication strategies.
“Over 10,000 healthcare workers have been trained. For their protection, additional personal protective equipment have been distributed to all the states”, he stated.
