President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a lockdown of Abuja, Lagos and Ogun to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Buhari gave the order in a broadcast on Sunday.
“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,” he said.
“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 said all citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes and that travel to or from other states should be postponed.
“All businesses and offices within these locations should be fully closed during this period. The Governors of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Minister of the FCT have been notified. Furthermore, heads of security and intelligence agencies have also been briefed,” he said.
Buhari said this containment period will be used 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,” 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.”
As of Saturday, Nigeria has 97 confirmed cases of COVID-19.