FG opens food markets for four hours daily in Lagos, Ogun, Abuja

The Federal Government yesterday directed that food markets in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would be allowed to open daily for four hours, from 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. This was contained in the guidelines realeased for the implementation of the lockdown policy approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the country.

According to the document released by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 In Abuja on Wednesday, as part of the measures to enforce social distancing and limit the spread of the coronavirus, the Federal Government has decided that schools, organisations and businesses in FCT, Lagos and Ogun states will close effective from 30 March for an initial period of two weeks.

It explained that for the period of the lockdown, every person would be confined to his or her place of residence unless strictly for the purpose of performing an essential service, obtaining an essential good or service, or seeking medical care.

It said all borders linking the two states and FCT to the rest of the country would be shut during the period of the lockdown, except for the transportation of persons on essential duties, food, fuel, manufactured goods or donated relief items.

Other measures are: Mass gathering is prohibited, except for funeral services as guided by infection prevention and control regulations, for which social distancing rules apply and crowds are limited to not more than 20 persons.

Movement between and within the affected states and FCT is restricted except for workers involved in the delivery of authorised essential services, duties, food and goods.

Retail shops and malls must be closed except where essential goods are sold. Shops and malls that are open must enforce social distancing and hygiene measures in line with issued guidelines.

Any business or organisation providing essential goods and services must identify the staff who will perform those services.

Commuter services between cities and states including passenger rail services, bus services, e-hailing services, maritime and air passenger transport are suspended for the period of the lockdown in the affected states.