The Federal Government has issued directive on how it intends to ease the Coronavirus lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states.
President Muhammadu Buhari in his last broadcast earlier in the week ordered the easing of lockdown across aforementioned states beginning from Monday, 4th of May, 2020.
Announcing the procedures on easing the lockdown, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu, said government offices nationwide are expected to reopen for skeletal services on Monday.
Speaking during the 22nd joint national briefing of the committee on Wednesday, Mr Aliyu added that banking, construction and manufacturing sectors, as well as food processing companies, would also be allowed to open.
“Temperature test, respiratory hygiene and restriction of gathering of not more than 20 persons will be introduced and the task force would be engaging with state governments to make sure that the PTF has a common approach to the opening of offices,” the national coordinator explained
“For government offices, government staff will be allowed to resume from the 4 of May but it will be based on specific grade levels and specific days so that we can reduce the amount of congestion that we might have in our government offices and we will be discussing further with state governments to make sure that we have a common approach to this.
“Banks will be allowed to open but there will be a restriction in the opening hours to between 8am to 2pm and together with all the other preventive measures I have already mentioned.
“In addition to this, from the point of agriculture and rural development, companies involved in food processing can commence operation.
“In construction sites, critical road will be allowed but waivers will be provided by state governments to enable movement.
“For the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, we will encourage shift work and limiting staff to only 30 to 50 per cent to maintain social distancing and pharmacy shops may remain open overnight.
“Restaurant will not be opened to the public but will be allowed to engage in-home delivery of food. Schools will remain closed till further evaluation. Schools are encouraged to continue with e-learning and virtual teaching.
“Social activities such as the use of recreational parks. Communal sports, concerts, social parties and movie theaters will be suspended until further review.
“Neighborhood markets will continue to open with the same standard and restrictions that we have applied in the past as well as supermarkets, and retail stores,” Mr Aliyu said.
