Buhari relaxes lockdown in FCT, Lagos, Ogun from May 4

President Muammadu Buhari has ordered a gradual easing of lockdown measures in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, May 4, 2020.

Buhari made the declaration in his third statewide broadcast on COVID-19 on Monday evening.

The President had initially imposed a two-week lockdoown on FCT, Lagos and Ogun on Sunday March 29 during his first broadcast. He extended the lockdown for another two weeks on Monday April 13.

He said: “In line with the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, I have approved for a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020,”

The President added that 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, according to the president 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.

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The President also said he is concerned about the recent deaths in Kano State.

“Although an in-depth investigation is still ongoing, we have decided to deploy additional Federal Government human, material and technical resources to strengthen and support the State Government’s efforts. We will commence implementation immediately,” he said.

He added that the two-week lockdown imposed by the Kano State Government remain effective.