Sign in
Sign in
Recover your password.
A password will be e-mailed to you.
OMOTAYO ARAOYE and AMINA HUSSAINI, Abuja
In view of the hardship being experienced and the need to gradually kickstart the economy again, President Muhammadu Buhari Monday allowed the opening of business premises from Saturday May 4 following the approval of a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun States.
The development which comes with mandatory use of face mask and other precautionary measures was announced Monday during the President’s nationwide broadcast Monday night
The decision to relax the lockdown measures, according to the President was based on several factors and the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the various Federal Government committees that reviewed socio-economic matters and also the inputs by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).
The President on March 29 had ordered a lockdown which was again renewed a fortnight ago in the efforts to flatten the curve of the ravaging Coronavirus that have led to several deaths and many on hospital beds.
The phased easing of the lockdown will henceforth 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 new development, however, excludes Kano state where the measures applied by the state government will continue to stand in view of the alarming spate of the increase in the number of COVID-19 patients.
The highlights of the new nationwide measures according to President Buhari include the opening of
selected businesses and offices from 9am to 6pm; with an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am during which all movements will be prohibited during the period except essential services
The current ban on inter-state travel still subsists except those on essential services while there also will be partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services.
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 period beginning from May 2, the Presidential Task Force is expected to provide sector-specific details and timing guidelines to allow for preparations by Governments, businesses and institutions and which state governors may choose to amend, adapt and expand based on their unique circumstances but in alignment with the guidelines issued above on public health and hygiene.
These revised guidelines do not apply to Kano State according to President who noted that “the total lockdown recently announced by the State Government shall remain enforced be enforced for the full duration. The Federal Government shall deploy all the necessary human, material and technical resources to support the State in controlling and containing the pandemic”.
The President commended the frontline workers across the country who, on a daily basis, risk everything to ensure we win this fight.
“For those who got infected in the line of duty, be rest assured that Government will do all it takes to support you and your families during this exceedingly difficult period. I will also take this opportunity to assure you all that your safety, wellbeing and welfare remains paramount to our Government”.
BADEJO ADEMUYIWA has 23 years experience as a Finance Writer, specialising in Insurance and Investigative Reporting.
Next Post
Comments are closed.