Moses Ofodeme
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Sunday, March 29; confirmed 14 new cases of coronavirus.
These latest discoveries bring the number of people with the coronavirus infection to 111.
The centre said on its Twitter handle that nine of the cases were from Lagos and five in Abuja.
It said: “14 new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria – 9 in Lagos and 5 in FCT as at 09:30 pm 29th March. There are 111 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria with 1 death”.
Consequently, President Muhammadu Buhari, has declared a 14-day curfew on Lagos, Ogun states and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).
Buhari made the declaration during the live broadcast on Sunday, 29th March at 7pm (WAT) while addressing citizens of the nation.
According to him, the 14-day curfew would commence with immediate effect tomorrow, Monday by 11pm.
He said, “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 11 pm 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.”
The President noted that all citizens in these areas are advised 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.
Buhari said that all the Governors of Lagos and Ogun States; as well as the Minister of the FCT are aware and notified. Furthermore, heads of security and intelligence agencies have also been briefed.
Buhari, however, exempted some sectors from the restriction of movement.
He said, “‘‘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.”.