{"id":6554,"date":"2020-03-30T17:09:06","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T17:09:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/ng\/?p=6554"},"modified":"2020-03-30T17:09:06","modified_gmt":"2020-03-30T17:09:06","slug":"coronavirus-14-day-curfew-nigerian-government-orders-shelter-in-place-for-abuja-lagos-ogun-states-businesses-offices-shut-down-movement-restricted-from-11pm-on-monday-march-302020-covid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/coronavirus-14-day-curfew-nigerian-government-orders-shelter-in-place-for-abuja-lagos-ogun-states-businesses-offices-shut-down-movement-restricted-from-11pm-on-monday-march-302020-covid\/","title":{"rendered":"CORONAVIRUS 14-DAY CURFEW: Nigerian Government orders Shelter-in-Place for Abuja, Lagos, Ogun states…businesses, offices shut down, movement restricted from 11pm on Monday, March 30,2020 …’COVID-19 has no cure. Scientists around the world are working very hard to develop a vaccine’, President Muhammadu Buhari *All citizens in areas mentioned to stay in their homes, Travel to or from other states postponed * Restriction will not apply to hospitals, all related medical establishments as well as organizations in health care related manufacturing and distribution * Workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff who can prove they were unable to work from home exempted from restrictions *All seaports in Lagos shall remain operational, Vehicles and drivers conveying essential cargoes from these Ports to other parts of the country will be screened thoroughly before departure by the Ports Health Authority * Vehicles conveying food, other essential humanitarian items into locations from other parts of the country will be screened thoroughly before they are allowed to enter restricted areas * Directs a three month repayment moratorium for all TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans be implemented with immediate effect * BY TOLA ADEBAYO\/ NATIONAL REPORTER, ABUJA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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CORONAVIRUs\n14-DAY\nCURFEW:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigerian\nGovernment orders Shelter-in-Place\nfor Abuja, Lagos,\nOgun states…businesses, offices shut down, movement restricted from\n11pm on Monday, March 30,2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

…’COVID-19\nhas no cure. Scientists around the world are working very hard to\ndevelop a vaccine’, President Muhammadu Buhari <\/em><\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*All\ncitizens in areas mentioned to stay in their homes, Travel to or\nfrom other states postponed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*\nRestriction will\nnot apply to hospitals, all related medical establishments as well as\norganizations in health care related manufacturing and distribution\n<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n*\nWorkers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and\nelectronic media staff who can prove they were unable to work from\nhome exempted from restrictions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n*All\nseaports in Lagos shall remain operational, Vehicles and drivers\nconveying essential cargoes from these Ports to other parts of the\ncountry will be screened thoroughly before departure by the Ports\nHealth Authority<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n*\nVehicles conveying food, other essential humanitarian items into\nlocations from other parts of the country will be screened thoroughly\nbefore they are allowed to enter restricted areas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*\nDirects a three month repayment moratorium for all TraderMoni,\nMarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans be implemented with immediate effect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BY\nTOLA ADEBAYO\/ NATIONAL REPORTER, ABUJA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IN\nA 65-POINT BA<\/strong>S<\/strong>E\nI<\/strong>SSUED\nIN FINDING A LASTING SOLUTION TO THE DANGER CAUSED BY THE DREADED\nCORONAVIRUS, COVID-19, Nigeria’ <\/strong>s\nPresident, Muhammadu Buhari rolled out urgent policies and steps to\nbe carried out by every Nigerian to remain safe in a curfew which he\nimposed that takes effect from 11 pm on Monday, 30th March 2020. <\/strong>He\n<\/strong>has\nordered the restriction of movements in Nigeria\u2019s capital city\nAbuja and Lagos, which are the hardest hit by a Coronavirus in the\ncountry.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBased\non the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am\ndirecting the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an\ninitial period of 14 days with effect. <\/strong>This\nrestriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity\nto Lagos and the high traffic between the two States,\u201d Buhari said\nin a national address on Sunday evening. \u201cAll citizens in these\nareas are to stay in their homes. Travel to or from other states\nshould be postponed. All businesses and offices within these\nlocations should be fully closed during this period,\u201d he said. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria\non Thursday, February 28, confirmed its first case of Coronavirus in\nLagos State. The first index case, an Italian businessman, and two\nother persons have since been discharged. One death has been recorded\nso far. Since then, Nigeria\u2019s National Centre for Disease Control\n(NCDC) has confirmed 110 more cases, making it 111 cases in total as\nat 8:30 pm Sunday. The NCDC announced that it discovered 14 new cases\nof Coronavirus. \u201cFourteen new cases of #COVID19 have been reported\nin Nigeria; 9 in Lagos and 5 in FCT,\u201d NCDC tweeted Sunday night.\n\u201cAs at 09:30 pm 29th March there are 111 confirmed cases of\n#COVID19 reported in Nigeria with 1 death.\u201d<\/strong>\n<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While\nthe numbers of cases keep increasing, Nigeria has shut all schools\nand tertiary institutions in the country. It has also placed travel\nrestrictions on 15 countries with a high prevalence of Coronavirus\nand suspended its visa on arrival policy to curb the spread of the\nvirus. All gathering in Nigeria is currently been barred. These\nmeasures, Buhari said, are the best and most efficient way to avoid\ngetting infected is through regular hygienic and sanitary practices\nas well as social distancing. Buhari noted that business closures in\nthe nation\u2019s capital city, Lagos and Ogun State will cause many\ncitizens inconveniences but urged them to see it as a sacrifice for\nthe good of the country. \u201cOur focus, therefore, remains to urgently\nand drastically contain these cases, and to support other states and\nregions in the best way we can,\u201d Buhari said. He urged all citizens\nto adhere to the guidelines released by the NCDC to avoid getting\ninfected, along with regular hygiene to curb the spread of the deadly\nCoronavirus.<\/strong>\n<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\n14-day restriction of movement imposed on the two states and Abuja to\ncurb the spread of Covid-19 to other states will not apply to\nhospitals and all related medical establishments as well as\norganizations in health care related manufacturing and distribution.\nAlso exempted were commercial establishments – food processing,\ndistribution and retail companies; petroleum distribution and retail\nentities; power generation, transmission and distribution companies;\nand private security companies. \u201cAlthough these establishments are\nexempted, access will be restricted and monitored\u201d, he added.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nBuhari\nsaid workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and\nelectronic media staff who can prove they were unable to work from\nhome were also exempted from these restrictions. He further stated:\n\u201cAll seaports in Lagos shall remain operational in accordance with\nthe guidelines I issued earlier. Vehicles and drivers conveying\nessential cargoes from these Ports to other parts of the country will\nbe screened thoroughly before departure by the Ports Health\nAuthority. \u201cFurthermore, all vehicles conveying food and other\nessential humanitarian items into these locations from other parts of\nthe country will also be screened thoroughly before they are allowed\nto enter these restricted areas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nADDRESS BY\nH.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA\nON THE COVID- 19 PANDEMIC SUNDAY 29TH MARCH, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
1.\nFellow Nigerians,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n2.\nFrom the first signs that Coronavirus, or COVID-19 was turning into\nan epidemic and was officially declared a world-wide emergency, the\nFederal Government started planning preventive, containment and\ncurative measures in the event the disease hits Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n3.\nThe whole instruments of government are now mobilized to confront\nwhat has now become both a health emergency and an economic crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n4.\nNigeria, unfortunately, confirmed its first case on 27th February\n2020. Since then, we have seen the number of confirmed cases rise\nslowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n5.\nBy the morning of March 29th, 2020, the total confirmed cases within\nNigeria had risen to ninety-seven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n6.\nRegrettably, we also had our first fatality, a former employee of\nPPMC, who died on 23rd March 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with\nhis family in this very difficult time. We also pray for quick\nrecovery for those infected and undergoing treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n7.\nAs of today, COVID-19 has no cure. Scientists around the world are\nworking very hard to develop a vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n8.\nWe are in touch with these institutions as they work towards a\nsolution that will be certified by international and local medical\nauthorities within the shortest possible time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n9.\nFor now, the best and most efficient way to avoid getting infected is\nthrough regular hygienic and sanitary practices as well as social\ndistancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n10.\nAs individuals, we remain the greatest weapon to fight this pandemic.\nBy washing our hands regularly with clean water and soap,\ndisinfecting frequently used surfaces and areas, coughing into a\ntissue or elbow and strictly adhering to infection prevention control\nmeasures in health facilities, we can contain this virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n11.\nSince the outbreak was reported in China, our Government has been\nmonitoring the situation closely and studying the various responses\nadopted by other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n12.\nIndeed, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease\nControl (NCDC) was one of ten global health leaders invited by the\nWorld Health Organisation to visit China and understudy their\nresponse approach. I am personally very proud of Dr Ihekweazu for\ndoing this on behalf of all Nigerians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
13.\nSince his return, the NCDC has been implementing numerous strategies\nand programs in Nigeria to ensure that the adverse impact of this\nvirus on our country is minimized. We ask all Nigerians to support\nthe work the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC are doing, led by\nthe Presidential Task Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n14.\nAlthough we have adopted strategies used globally, our implementation\nprograms have been tailored to reflect our local realities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n15.\nIn Nigeria, we are taking a two step approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n16.\nFirst, to protect the lives of our fellow Nigerians and residents\nliving here and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and\nbusiness owners to ensure their families get through this very\ndifficult time in dignity and with hope and peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n17.\nTo date, we have introduced healthcare measures, border security,\nfiscal and monetary policies in our response. We shall continue to do\nso as the situation unfolds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n18.\nSome of these measures will surely cause major inconveniences to many\ncitizens. But these are sacrifices we should all be willing and ready\nto make for the greater good of our country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n19.\nIn Nigeria\u2019s fight against COVID-19, there is no such thing as an\noverreaction or an under reaction. It is all about the right reaction\nby the right agencies and trained experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n20.\nAccordingly, as a Government, we will continue to rely on guidance of\nour medical professionals and experts at the Ministry of Health, NCDC\nand other relevant agencies through this difficult time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n21.\nI therefore urge all citizens to adhere to their guidelines as they\nare released from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n22.\nAs we are all aware, Lagos and Abuja have the majority of confirmed\ncases in Nigeria. Our focus therefore remains to urgently and\ndrastically contain these cases, and to support other states and\nregions in the best way we can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n23.\nThis is why we provided an initial intervention of fifteen billion\nNaira (N15b) to support the national response as we fight to contain\nand control the spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n24.\nWe also created a Presidential Task Force (PTF) to develop a workable\nNational Response Strategy that is being reviewed on a daily basis as\nthe requirements change. This strategy takes international best\npractices but adopts them to suit our unique local circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n25.\nOur goal is to ensure all States have the right support and manpower\nto respond immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n26.\nSo far, in Lagos and Abuja, we have recruited hundreds of adhoc staff\nto man our call centers and support our tracing and testing efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n27.\nI also requested, through the Nigeria Governors Forum, for all State\nGovernments to nominate Doctors and Nurses who will be trained by the\nNCDC and Lagos State Government on tactical and operational response\nto the virus in case it spreads to other states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n28.\nThis training will also include medical representatives from our\narmed forces, paramilitary and security and intelligence agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n29.\nAs a nation, our response must be guided, systematic and\nprofessional. There is a need for consistency across the nation. All\ninconsistencies in policy guidelines between Federal and State\nagencies will be eliminated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n30.\nAs I mentioned earlier, as at this morning we had ninety-seven\nconfirmed cases. Majority of these are in Lagos and Abuja. All the\nconfirmed cases are getting the necessary medical care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n31.\nOur agencies are currently working hard to identify cases and people\nthese patients have been in contact with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n32.\nThe few confirmed cases outside Lagos and Abuja are linked to persons\nwho have travelled from these centres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n33.\nWe are therefore working to ensure such inter state and intercity\nmovements are restricted to prevent further spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
34.\nBased on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I\nam directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for\nan initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th\nMarch 2020. This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its\nclose proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n35.\nAll citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes. Travel to or\nfrom other states should be postponed. All businesses and offices\nwithin these locations should be fully closed during this period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n36.\nThe Governors of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Minister of the\nFCT have been notified. Furthermore, heads of security and\nintelligence agencies have also been briefed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n37.\nWe will use this containment period to identify, trace and isolate\nall individuals that have come into contact with confirmed cases. We\nwill ensure the treatment of confirmed cases while restricting\nfurther spread to other States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n38.\nThis order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical\nestablishments as well as organizations in health care related\nmanufacturing and distribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n39.\nFurthermore, commercial establishments such as;
a. food\nprocessing, distribution and retail companies;
b. petroleum\ndistribution and retail entities,
c. power generation,\ntransmission and distribution companies; and
d. private security\ncompanies are also exempted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n40.\nAlthough these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted\nand monitored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n41.\nWorkers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and\nelectronic media staff who can prove they are unable to work from\nhome are also exempted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n42.\nAll seaports in Lagos shall remain operational in accordance with the\nguidelines I issued earlier. Vehicles and drivers conveying essential\ncargoes from these Ports to other parts of the country will be\nscreened thoroughly before departure by the Ports Health Authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n43.\nFurthermore, all vehicles conveying food and other essential\nhumanitarian items into these locations from other parts of the\ncountry will also be screened thoroughly before they are allowed to\nenter these restricted areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n44.\nAccordingly, the Hon. Minister of Health is hereby directed to\nredeploy all Port Health Authority employees previously stationed in\nthe Lagos and Abuja Airports to key roads that serve as entry and\nexit points to these restricted zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n45.\nMovements of all passenger aircraft, both commercial and private\njets, are hereby suspended. Special permits will be issued on a needs\nbasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n46.\nWe are fully aware that such measures will cause much hardship and\ninconvenience to many citizens. But this is a matter of life and\ndeath, if we look at the dreadful daily toll of deaths in Italy,\nFrance and Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n47.\nHowever, we must all see this as our national and patriotic duty to\ncontrol and contain the spread of this virus. I will therefore ask\nall of us affected by this order to put aside our personal comfort to\nsafeguard ourselves and fellow human beings. This common enemy can\nonly be controlled if we all come together and obey scientific and\nmedical advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n48.\nAs we remain ready to enforce these measures, we should see this as\nour individual contribution in the war against COVID-19. Many other\ncountries have taken far stricter measures in a bid to control the\nspread of the virus with positive results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n49.\nFor residents of satellite and commuter towns and communities around\nLagos and Abuja whose livelihoods will surely be affected by some of\nthese restrictive measures, we shall deploy relief materials to ease\ntheir pains in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n50.\nFurthermore, although schools are closed, I have instructed the\nMinistry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social\nDevelopment to work with State Governments in developing a strategy\non how to sustain the school feeding program during this period\nwithout compromising our social distancing policies. The Minister\nwill be contacting the affected States and agree on detailed next\nsteps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
51.\nFurthermore, I have directed that a three month repayment moratorium\nfor all TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans be implemented\nwith immediate effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
52.\nI have also directed that a similar moratorium be given to all\nFederal Government funded loans issued by the Bank of Industry, Bank\nof Agriculture and the Nigeria Export Import Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n53.\nFor on-lending facilities using capital from international and\nmultilateral development partners, I have directed our development\nfinancial institutions to engage these development partners and\nnegotiate concessions to ease the pains of the borrowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n54.\nFor the most vulnerable in our society, I have directed that the\nconditional cash transfers for the next two months be paid\nimmediately. Our Internally displaced persons will also receive two\nmonths of food rations in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n55.\nWe also call on all Nigerians to take personal responsibility to\nsupport those who are vulnerable within their communities, helping\nthem with whatever they may need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n56.\nAs we all pray for the best possible outcome, we shall continue\nplanning for all eventualities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
57.\nThis is why I directed that all Federal Government Stadia, Pilgrims\ncamps and other facilities be converted to isolation centers and\nmakeshift hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n58.\nMy fellow Nigerians, as a Government, we will avail all necessary\nresources to support the response and recovery. We remain committed\nto do whatever it takes to confront COVID-19 in our country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n59.\nWe are very grateful to see the emerging support of the private\nsector and individuals to the response as well as our development\npartners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n60.\nAt this point, I will ask that all contributions and donations be\ncoordinated and centralized to ensure efficient and impactful\nspending. The Presidential Task Force remains the central\ncoordinating body on the COVID-19 response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n61.\nI want to assure you all that Government Ministries, Departments and\nAgencies with a role to play in the outbreak response are working\nhard to bring this virus under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n62.\nEvery nation in the world is challenged at this time. But we have\nseen countries where citizens have come together to reduce the spread\nof the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n63.\nI will therefore implore you again to strictly comply with the\nguidelines issued and also do your bit to support Government and the\nmost vulnerable in your communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
64.\nI will take this opportunity to thank all our public health\nworkforce, health care workers, port health authorities and other\nessential staff on the frontlines of the response for their\ndedication and commitment. You are true heroes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n65.\nI thank you all for listening. May God continue to bless and protect\nus all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
President\nMuhammadu Buhari
29th March 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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