“Banks to open between 8am and 2pm, schools and restaurants to remain shut” – FG releases guidelines for easing of lockdown on Monday May 4

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019, has released the guidelines for the ease of the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and the FCT which will come into effect next week Monday, May 4.

While briefing newsmen on the guidelines for the ease of the lockdown, National coordinator of the Presidential taskforce on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu, said Interstate travels will remain banned except for essential services.

As regards intrastate activities, banks are to open between the hours of 8 pm and 2 pm while adhering to all the COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

Schools are to remain closed, Restaurants are to remain closed but can do home deliveries. Concerts and Recreational activities stay suspended for now.

“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 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.” Sani said

Also speaking, the chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, stated that the management of various offices are expected to fumigate and decontaminate their offices before they commence operations.

Mustapha added that they are also expected to make arrangement for the physical distancing of their staff while at work, ensure all staff use face mask and hand sanitizer.

Mustapha also announced that all passenger flights remain under ban.