Coronavirus: President Buhari locks down Lagos, Abuja, for two weeks

President Muhammadu Buhari locks down Lagos, Abuja and Ogun State, to curb the community transmission of COVID-19 in the states where it is prevalent.

He made the declaration during his nationwide broadcast on Sunday.

According to Buhari, all movement in the stated cities are to be on halt for two

weeks as he advised citizens to take all safety precautions seriously.

Read the full statement below as President Buhari Locks Down Lagos:

“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.

We will use this containment period to identify, trace and isolate all individuals that have

come into contact with confirmed cases.

We will ensure the treatment of confirmed cases while restricting further spread to other States.

This order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as well as organizations in health care related manufacturing and distribution.

Furthermore, commercial establishments such as; food processing, distribution and retail

companies; petroleum distribution and retail entities, power generation, transmission and

distribution companies; and private security companies are also exempted.

Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored.

Workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff

who can prove they are unable to work from home are also exempted.”