By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has released guidelines on the implementation of the phased and gradual easing of the lockdown that was earlier announced by President Muhammadu Buhari in his nationwide broadcast on Monday, April 27.
Muhammad Bello, Minister of FCT, at the weekend disclosed that FCTA will enforce rigorously the guidelines regulating the easing of the lockdown in the FCT as part of measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the territory.
He said security agencies have been mandated to arrest and prosecute, through the mobile courts, anyone found contravening the guidelines.
Bello explained that the administration will vigorously enforce the overnight curfew from 8:00pm to 6:00 am, and in order to prevent person infected with COVID-19 from coming into the Territory, will also enforce the ban on interstate travel.
Therefore, all workers who reside outside the FCT have been directed to remain in their respective states of residence until the ban on interstate travel is lifted.
According to the minister, the guidelines issued include an overnight curfew will be applicable in the FCT from 8:00pm till 6:00 am.
Effective Monday, 4th May 2020, all civil servants in the FCT on Grade level 14 and above are to report for work 3 times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of 8am and 2pm.
Extant guidelines on market operations for sale of food items only remain in effect. Markets are to operate for two days in a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 8:00am and 3:00pm.
The extant directive on places of worship still subsists and they remain closed.
All clubs, bars, gardens, beer parlors, recreational parks, communal sports facilities, movie theatres etc in the FCT remain closed.
Taxis are mandated to carry a maximum of 4 persons at a time (driver and 3 persons)
All schools in the FCT remain closed until further notice. Schools are not permitted to commence third term operations in any form until directed otherwise by the relevant authorities.
Use of face masks by residents in all public places is mandatory.
The security agencies have been mandated to arrest and prosecute anyone found to be contravening any of these guidelines through the mobile courts.
The Minister however, urged residents that COVID-19 is a very serious ailment that can be fatal and there is the need for residents to follow all laid down health protocols.
