News Africa
Coronavirus: Nigeria to ease Abuja and Lagos lockdowns on 4 May
Nigeria will begin a “gradual easing” of coronavirus-related lockdowns in the federal capital territory of Abuja, and Lagos and Ogun states from 4 May.
The lockdowns had been due to end on Monday night, but President Muhammadu Buhari said they needed to continue.
He also ordered new nationwide measures against Covid-19, including a night-time curfew and mandatory face masks.
The moves would ensure the economy functioned “while still maintaining our aggressive response”, Mr Buhari said.
Earlier, workers at a construction site in Lagos rioted in protest at the lockdown.
A police spokesman said the workers at the Lekki Free Trade zone – including those at the oil refinery of billionaire Aliko Dangote – went on the rampage and injured several officers in the area. Fifty-one people were arrested, he added.
There are reports that the protesters were angry that some foreign nationals were allowed to go to work at the site.
Nigeria, Africa’s most-populous nation and largest economy, has reported 1,273 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 40 deaths.
In a televised address on Monday night, Mr Buhari acknowledged that the lockdowns in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun had “come at a very heavy economic cost” since they began on 30 March.
“Many of our citizens have lost their means of livelihood. Many businesses have shut down,” he said.
He added: “No country can afford the full impact of a sustained lockdown while awaiting the development of vaccines.”
The president said there would therefore be a “phased and gradual easing” of the lockdowns next Monday to allow some economic activities to resume.
But to limit the spread of Covid-19, he announced that the government would impose a curfew across the country between 20:00 and 06:00, require everyone to wear face masks in public, and stop “non-essential inter-state passenger travel”.
Bans on social and religious gatherings will also remain in place.
Mr Buhari also expressed deep concern over the unexplained deaths of a number of people in the northern state of Kano.
He said a lockdown would be imposed there for two weeks with immediate effect and that he was sending a government team to investigate.
BBC
-
Lifestyle4 weeks ago
Road Safety Authority narrates how buttocks causes road accident
-
GENERAL NEWS1 month ago
Why 15 police officers stormed Owusu Bempah’s church – Kumchacha narrates
-
GENERAL NEWS4 weeks ago
Watch how Ibrahim Mahama rode Honda superbike to pay last respects to late friend
-
GENERAL NEWS1 month ago
How Offinso residents storm destooled queen mother’s house, demand for new chief
-
South Africa News1 month ago
Woman thrown out of a speeding taxi while on her way to work
-
GENERAL NEWS2 weeks ago
Deadly clash between youth and navy personnel results in two deaths at Tema Manhean
-
SHOWBIZ KONKONSAH2 weeks ago
Junior Pope’s Death: Video of John Dumelo refusing to join canoe for movie shoot over safety concerns resurfaces
-
News Africa2 months ago
‘Satanically dubious’ – SCOAN releases statement on BBC’s report about TB Joshua, church