By Edwin Eriye
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday said there are possibilities that the ongoing lockdown observed in Lagos might be extended beyond the 14 days.
While confirming this in a press brief on Saturday the governor said the extension of the lockdown depends on the situation of the coronavirus cases, as 109 of the 209 confirmed COVID-19 cases are in Lagos, with only 24 discharges.
“If there’s a need to extend the lockdown, I will. We got one discharged patient today who recovered from the virus. We are going to sit down with the committee that is working on the community markets necessary to see if we can make more announcements next week”. The Governor said.
Similarly, The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has said that the lockdown currently observed by the state will be reviewed on Tuesday morning.
Governor Dapo said the imposed lockdown will be lifted every two days necessary to reduce the effects of the lockdown order.
“The state will relax the lockdown for seven hours every 48 hours.
“This would give opportunity for economic activities to strive within the few hours of the relaxation time.
“Personnel of essential services providers such as security and fire personnel, petroleum products dealers, food producers, and water distributors would have unlimited access to movement to perform their duties.
“The lockdown will be suspended between 7:00 am and 2:00pm to allow for essential business activities.
“This 7:00am to 2:00pm window will be observed every other day therefrom, that is; Tuesday instant, Thursday, and Saturday for the coming week”. The Governor said.
Blackboxnigeria reported earlier that President Muhammadu Buhari imposed a curfew restricting movement in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja as a measure to curb the novel COVID-19 pandemic.
This was confirmed in the President’s speech to the nation on Sunday, 29th, where he said.
“As we are all aware, Lagos and Abuja have the majority of confirmed cases in Nigeria. Our focus therefore remains to urgently and drastically contain these cases, and to support other states and regions in the best way we can.
“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”.
Subsequently, The Federal Government, after reviewing the imposed lock-down on Abuja, Lagos and Ogun state issued new guidelines.
The government, in the new guidelines issued on Wednesday, 1st, stated that markets selling food items would open from 10am to 2pm every other day, as supermarkets and pharmacies are to open from 10am-4pm every day.
While reiterating the need for a high-level hygiene in the market places and supermarkets, the federal government said the new guidelines also ban bus services during the lock-down, adding that a mass gathering of more than 20 people is not allowed.
