FG relaxes restriction measures in FCT, Lagos, Ogun
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said via its Twitter handle, @NCDCgov, on Wednesday that the country had recorded nine new confirmed cases each in Lagos and Osun; two in Edo, one each in Ekiti, Bauchi and Kaduna, five in Akwa Ibom and seven in the FCT,
“As of 08:00 pm 1st April there are 174 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Nine have been discharged with two deaths,” the NCDC said.
With the latest cases, Lagos now has 91 cases; the FCT, 35; Osun, 14; Kaduna, four; Oyo, eight; Enugu, two; Edo, four; Bauchi, three; Ekiti, two; Akwa Ibom, five and Ogun, four while Rivers and Benue still stay with one case each.
So far, nine patients have been discharged with two deaths recorded.
Meanwhile, some reliefs have come the way of the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states as the federal government has relaxed some lockdown measures imposed on the areas to contain the spread of the pandemic.
The national coordinator of the Presidential task Force on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu said at a briefing in Abuja that supermarkets, food stores, pharmacies and markets were exempted from the lockdown, but must operate under strict rules.
He said markets selling food would open from 10am to 2pm every other day.
“In order for markets to operate, state and local government authorities, as well as leaders of market associations, must take full responsibility for strict compliance with the following protocols:
“Only shops and stores selling food and groceries shall be allowed to open to customers between the hours of 10am and 2pm, every other day or less frequently.”
“For markets, only shops and stalls selling food and groceries shall be allowed to open to customers between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm,” he said.
For supermarkets and pharmacies, Aliyu said their opening hours would be between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm and warned that all owners and managers must screen staff and customers before entry.
“On arrival, all staff must be screened for a high temperature and all those found to have a high body temperature above 38, will be denied entry and advised to seek immediate medical attention.
“All deliveries for supplies and products for these supermarkets must be made between the hours of 5:00 am and 9:00 am.
“Porters should wash their hands before offloading products and goods.
“At any point in time, the total number of customers inside each store must not on average exceed a third of the store’s maximum capacity.”
“For pharmacies, the rules as per supermarkets apply, except that for pharmacies that run 24-hour schedules, they will be allowed to operate as usual,” he added.
However, he said all residents of the two states and the FCT would be confined to their homes, except for the purpose of performing an essential service, obtaining essential goods or service or seeking medical care.
He added that the borders between Ogun and Lagos would remain shut.
“Borders linking the two states and the FCT to the rest of the country will be shut during the period of the lockdown, except for the transport of persons on essential duties, transport of food, fuel, manufactured goods or donated relief items. Security agencies are please invited to note these.
“Movement between and within the two affected states and the FCT is restricted, except for workers involved in the delivery of essential services, duties, foods and goods.
“Retail shops and malls must be closed except where essential goods are being sold. Shops and malls that are opened for this reason must enforce social distancing and hygienic measures in line with issued guidelines.
“Any business or organisation providing essential goods and services must identify the workers who will perform these activities,” he added.
He also stated that gatherings of over 20 people remained prohibited except for funeral services as guided by infection control and prevention regulations, for which social distancing rules still apply and crowds are limited to not more than 20 persons.
The coordinator also said bus services would remain suspended, except for essential services
Commuters services between cities and states, including passenger services, bus services, e-hailing services, maritime and air passenger transport are suspended for the period of the lockdown in the affected states and the FCT.”
He, however, noted that limited transport services would be allowed for the movement of workers, services and goods in response to COVID-19 and for the purpose of seeking medical attention or provision of essential services.
Such transport services, Aliyu said, must implement social distancing and hygienic measures.
Drivers on essential duties must ensure passenger spacing, disinfect vehicles
“With regard to the carriage of passengers, we must ensure spacing in between passengers, clean and disinfect frequently touched parts, including door and window handles, steering wheels and dashboards and encourage passengers to perform hand hygiene frequently,” he said.
