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President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the lockdown in Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Lagos and Ogun States by one week.
In a nationwide broadcast on Monday, the president explained that he consulted widely with various groups before taking the decision.
He commended Nigerians for the level of endurance shown throughout the four weeks that the lockdown has lasted.
Buhari advised Nigerians to adhere to the guidelines of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
He said: Fellow Nigerians, for the past four weeks, most parts of our country have been under either Federal Government or State Government lockdowns. As I mentioned earlier, these steps were necessary and overall, have contributed to slowing down the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“However, such lock downs have also come at a very heavy economic cost. Many of our citizens have lost their means of livelihoods. Many businesses have also shut down. No country can afford the full impact of a sustained lockdown while awaiting the development of vaccines or c
“In my last address, I mentioned the Federal Government will develop strategies and policies that will protect lives while preserving livelihoods.
“In these two weeks, the Federal and State Governments have jointly and collaboratively worked hard on how to balance the need to protect health while also preserving livelihoods, leveraging global best practice while keeping in mind our peculiar circumstances.
” We looked assessed how our factories, markets, traders and transporters can continue to function while at the same time respecting adhering to the NCDC guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.
“We assessed how our children can continue to learn without compromising their health. We reviewed how our farmers can safely plant and harvest in this rainy season to ensure our food security is not compromised.
“Furthermore, we also discussed how to safely transport food items from rural production areas to industrial processing zones and ultimately, to the key consumption centers.
“Our goal was to develop implementable policies that will ensure our economy continues to function with while still maintaining our aggressive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These same difficult decisions are being faced by leaders around the world.
“Based on the above and in line with the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID nineteen, the various Federal Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria Governors Forum, I have approved for a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Saturday, May 4, 2020 .
“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.
“The highlights of the new nationwide measures 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 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 partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services from producers to consumers
“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 gatherings shall remain in place. State Governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for citizens. “