FEDERAL Government has imposed an overnight curfew across the nation from 8pm to 6am as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of coronavirus.
This was contained in President Muhammadu Buhari’s broadcast to the nation on Monday at the end of second phase of 14-days lockdown by the federal government on Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states.
However, some essential inter-state travels alongside inter-state movement of goods and services from producers to consumers are exempted.
“There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all movements will be prohibited during this period except for essential services;
“There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travel until further notice;
“Partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed for the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers”, Buhari stated.
Similarly, Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai extended a lockdown on the state by one month with a one-day window in a week for movement. Precisely on Wednesday, and imposition of face-masks and adherence to social distancing everywhere.
According to Gov El-Rufai, the measures were necessitated by rapid increase of confirmed cases on Covid-19 in the neighbouring states and the FCT, and with strong probability of interstate travel being a major means of spreading the dreadful corona virus contagion adding that the Standing Committee’s evaluation is that measures to protect Kaduna state residents require further strengthening and more rigorous approach.
President Buhari in the broadcast stated that in respect to the above guidelines, State governors may choose to adapt and expand based on their unique circumstances provided they maintain alignment with the guidelines issued above.
Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano in a broadcast on Saturday at Awka also directed churches in the state to resume activities however with stipulated precautionary measures by the World Health Organization (WHO) must strictly be adhered to during the services while other activities will follow suit in phases after consultations.
“With regards to religious groups, leaders of the church should ensure that worshippers comply with the standards protocols of COVID-19 which includes wearing of face masks to church, use of hand sanitizers, social distancing and regular washing of hands.
“Church leaders should decide how best to conduct mass and service in strict adherence to the principles of social distancing to ensure that worshippers are not endangered. Please note that there should be no crusades and vigils for the time being.
“All food and drug markets in the state are to open with immediate effect.
“I will meet with market leaders on Monday, 27th April, for further discussion. When to re-open the schools as well as when civil servants will be allowed to go back to offices will be announced soon”, Obiano stated.
