In a bid to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus, President Muhammadu Buhari, during a nationwide broadcast on Sunday ordered the restriction of movements in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states for a period of 14 days. This directive is effective from 11pm Monday, 30th March 2020.
‘Buhari said: ‘Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020. This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States. All citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes. Travel to or from other states should be postponed. All businesses and offices within these locations should be fully closed during this period.”
However, the following commercial establishments including food processing, distribution and retail companies; petroleum distribution and retail entities; power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and private security companies are exempted. In addition, workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff who can prove they are unable to work from home are also exempted.
Prior to this time, there have been calls from various quarters for the president to address the nation on the COVID-19 pandemic, and also take necessary measures to ensure, Nigerians are safe from the virus, which have so far, killed over 30,000 persons globally and currently has no cure.
The president assured Nigerians that this period of containment will be used to isolate, identify and trace all individuals that have come in contact with those who tested positive for the virus, while ensuring the treatment of confirmed cases.
